The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has completed the refurbishment of its new community rehabilitation facility, Preston Lodge, marking a major step in improving patient recovery and discharge support.
The new standalone unit, called Preston Lodge, partially opened in July providing 25 beds to support with the discharge of patients from hospitals. The final stage of work on the former care home is now complete, meaning a total of 28 more beds will be open by early January.
Based in North Evington, just 1.6 miles from the Leicester Royal Infirmary, the facility helps patients recover from their hospital stay while getting specialist care such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language support, and rehabilitation.
Recent patient, Stuart Price, said: “Preston Lodge is a really nice place that will help many people with their recovery after a hospital stay. The staff are very kind and the way the unit is set up is very good for recovery, I have even made friends while I have been here. I will be discharged from this unit with a care package for the future, which will help me to stay at home.”
Preston Lodge supports the Government’s shift from acute to community care, as set out in the NHS 10 Year Plan. On average, patients stay at the unit for around 17 days while they recover with the support of a multi-disciplinary team. This allows time for a more permanent solution to be found in the community alongside the support of patients’ families. It also means acute hospital beds are freed up for those who need them most.
Barry Fogarty, Matron at Preston Lodge, said: “Since Preston Lodge partially opened earlier this year, we’ve already seen the positive impact it is having on our patients. The environment is calm, purpose-built, and truly supports recovery after a hospital stay. Opening more beds means we can offer even more patients the specialist rehabilitation they need in a space that is designed for recovery.”
The unit demonstrates UHL’s investment in a long-term solution to support patient discharge across the Trust.
Rachael Briggs, UHL’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Digital and Improvement, added: “The refurbishment of Preston Lodge marks a significant step forward in UHL’s commitment to delivering high-quality care closer to home. This new facility not only strengthens our community rehabilitation offer but also reflects how we are working ahead of the NHS 10 Year Plan in close partnership with local authorities and NHS partners.
“Increasing our bed capacity at the unit is part of our plan as we prepare for the pressures of winter. Preston Lodge will play a vital role in easing demand on our acute hospitals while ensuring patients receive the compassionate, specialist support they need to recover well.”