A multi-million-pound cardio respiratory ward providing more than 30 new beds has opened to the public.

Ruby Ward at Medway Maritime Hospital is now helping patients with serious breathing or heart conditions.

Funded by NHS England, the £5m project has transformed the site from a vacant space previously used by mental health providers.

It is now a purpose-built area with improved infection prevention measures and a better environment for staff, patients and visitors.

The former 14-bed mental health ward was moved to a £12.6m purpose-built centre at Maidstone Hospital last month.

Plans for the changeover have been in the works since August 2021.

The new and improved Ruby Ward includes a seven-bed respiratory support unit, which provides a higher level of patient monitoring.

One of the first patients to be treated on the ward was 77-year-old Gerald Nibbs from Strood.

He said: “This will be a fantastic addition to the hospital and the wonderful staff who have looked after me so well.

“I was originally admitted to McCulloch Ward and then came across to the new unit here.

“It’s very bright and spacious, I’m sure everyone will be very happy.

“It’s nice having lots of natural light from the windows. My first impression is that it’s money well spent!’’

The opening marks the first phase of a longer-term development of a cardio respiratory village.

It will have a new cardiac catheterisation laboratory and a better location of services – a priority under the Trust’s Patient First improvement programme and Clinical Strategy.

Mr Nibbs added: “The staff on the ward are brilliant and go out of their way to help with everything, in particular Subin, the clinical charge nurse.

“Nothing is too much trouble – they deserve all the praise they get.’’

Medway NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Jayne Black, said: “This is a really significant development for our hospital, which is set to benefit the community in Medway and Swale for years to come.

“We hope the new ward will play a role in improving our services, with the availability of more beds helping to treat patients sooner.

“It will also stand us in a better position to deal with any further pandemic outbreaks.

“I want to give a special mention to our colleagues and contractors involved in this project – thanks to their hard work and dedication over the last four months, we have been able to open the ward in record time.”