Countess Of Chester Hospital

12/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day 2026 💚

This weekend's World Mental Health Day was a reminder of the importance of open conversations, listening to different experiences and supporting each other's mental wellbeing.

The theme this year is "Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change", highlighting the voices and experiences of people affected by mental health challenges.

Our Wellbeing Team has been highlighting a range of mental health resources available for staff through our Trust's Wellbeing Hub.

These include mindfulness techniques, guidance on starting conversations about mental health, su***de prevention training and other useful support, all helping to break down stigma and give a voice to people with lived experience.

We all have mental health, and anyone can need support at any time, but by continuing to talk openly and look out for one another, we can help create a more supportive workplace for everyone.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, there's lots of help available across Cheshire West. Find the support that's right for you here: https://bit.ly/3Rntshb 💚

07/10/2026

🚭 Thinking about quitting smoking? This Stoptober could be the perfect time to start.

Stopping smoking isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone.

With the right support, thousands of people successfully quit every year, and every attempt is a step in the right direction.

Free support is available through the Brio Stop Smoking Service, helping you find the approach that works best for you.

💙 Take the first step towards a smoke-free future today.

👉 Self-refer here: Brio Stop Smoking Service referral form https://dcrsinterface.azurewebsites.net/REFERRAL?R=C29A191C

06/10/2026

📰🏆Seven awards in the first year of our newest building. But the real story is what comes next.

Our Women & Children’s Building has just received three national awards in the space of a week, taking its total to seven since opening.

Births and maternity bookings are up around 10%, an encouraging sign of growing trust from families.

The building is also attracting interest from NHS organisations across the country, keen to visit us in Chester to learn from its design, sustainability and family-focused spaces. It is increasingly being seen as a blueprint for future NHS building design.

For us, the recognition is about more than awards. It’s momentum to keep improving care, supports our ambition to become a teaching hospital, and creates even more opportunities to improve our services in the future.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about what comes next.

And there’s more to come: we’re shortlisted for another six awards over the coming months.

👏With special thanks: the project team included the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Integrated Health Projects – a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine – architects AHR and a wide group of specialist consultants and contractors.

06/10/2026

This week is and we want to recognise the dedicated teams who support patients experiencing complications from cancer and its treatment.

Here at the Countess of Chester Hospital, we work closely with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to provide joined-up care for patients across Cheshire and Merseyside, combining local support with specialist expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Hear more from our colleagues at Clatterbridge in the video below. 💙

Staff from NHS Acute Oncology teams in Cheshire, Merseyside and the...

02/10/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders to Ellesmere Port Hospital last week to see our new artwork display, featuring fantastic pieces by local artist Nicky Thompson .

Inspired by iconic travel posters and celebrating places, wildlife and landmarks close to home, the artwork now brightens corridors across the hospital, creating a colourful and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Born and raised in Ellesmere Port, Nicky's connection to the town and hospital makes this display especially meaningful, and we're delighted to showcase his work and the positive impact it can have on those spending time with us. 💙

A huge thank you to Nicky, Justin and everyone involved in bringing this colourful collection to our hospital. 👏

30/09/2026

A brand new dedicated paediatric resuscitation area for our youngest patients. 🏥

As part of our ongoing improvements to children's emergency care, we have opened a dedicated paediatric resuscitation room within our Emergency Department.

The new space is significantly larger than our previous area, which was located within the adult resuscitation unit, and has been specifically designed to meet the needs of children requiring emergency care and 24-hour stays.

Located away from the busy adult Emergency Department, the new facility provides a calmer, more private environment for some of our most unwell young patients and their families. The area can be closed off from the rest of the department to give clinical teams the space they need to provide the very best care.

The development also includes a dedicated relatives room, which offers families privacy and support during when they need it most.

This dedicated area marks an important step forward in creating the best possible environment for children and families during emergency situations, with facilities designed specifically around their needs.

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29/09/2026

🧸 Hospital visits can feel a little daunting when you're young, but what if your favourite teddy came too?

That's the idea behind our new Teddy Bear Clinic, designed to help young children living with diabetes learn through play in a fun, relaxed and supportive environment.

From checking teddy's glucose levels to practising injections and making new friends, the sessions help children build confidence whilst showing families they're not alone on their diabetes journey.

The clinic also gives children the chance to meet others their age who understand what living with diabetes is like, whilst parents and carers can connect with families sharing similar experiences.

Just look at some of the smiles, laughter and teddy bear adventures from one of our first clinics in this heartwarming video below. ⬇️💙

28/09/2026

🏆 Project of the Year!

We’re incredibly proud that our Women & Children’s Building has been named Project of the Year at the Government Property Awards 2026.

It’s a particularly special achievement because these awards recognise projects from across government and the wider public sector. So, for the first time, our building is being recognised at awards beyond the healthcare and construction sectors and on a national stage.

This award reflects the community effort behind the project. Local families took part in the ground‑breaking ceremony, schoolchildren contributed to the design of the play balcony, and hundreds of staff and many local patients helped shape and test the new spaces. Their input is embedded throughout the building:

🚿 Private ensuite rooms, giving patients more privacy and dignity
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spaces that help families stay together during care
🛏️ Beds beside every inpatient, so parents and carers can stay close
🎨 Dedicated play and teen spaces, including a balcony co‑designed with local schoolchildren
🌱 The first completed NHS building in England to meet the NHS Net Zero Building Standard.

The same thinking runs through our Family Integrated Care approach, where families are recognised as partners in care, rather than simply visitors.

And the impact is reaching beyond Chester. With national recognition growing, the building is increasingly becoming a place for others in the NHS to visit, learn about and take inspiration from when planning the next generation of healthcare facilities at their hospitals and Trusts.

A huge thank you to all the staff, families and partners who have played a part in making the building what it is.

With special thanks to our construction, project management and design partners VINCI Building UK and Sir Robert McAlpine (known as IHP), CCL Solutions (Matthew Groome) and Ecospheric Ltd.

25/09/2026

Work to remove the blue link bridge will take place again this weekend as part of the continued redevelopment of the Countess of Chester Hospital site, supporting plans to further enhance the site in the years ahead. 🏗

The work will take place between approximately 6am and 6pm on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

During this time, a large crane will be operating on site, meaning there will be temporary road closures and pedestrian diversions around the bridge and main entrance area.

Both public car parks will remain open as normal, although some routes around the hospital site will be affected.

Access to the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care and the Women and Children's Building will be via the rear entrance to the hospital site, opposite the Little Owl pub on Countess Way.

Bus services that usually travel through the hospital grounds will be diverted around the outside of the site. Bus stops on Countess Way and Liverpool Road will remain in use.

As pedestrian routes may change while the work is underway, visitors are advised to allow extra time for their journey and follow any temporary signage in place.

The project is being managed by the Trust's Estates team, with safety remaining the highest priority throughout.

Anyone visiting the site is asked to follow all signage and the advice of colleagues working in the area.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we reach this important milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Countess of Chester Hospital campus.

25/09/2026

Chances are you've walked past this room on our main corridor dozens of times.

You might know it as the place with the leaflets and information displays, but for the past 15 years, the Macmillan Support and Information Centre has been so much more than that.

Since opening on 30 September 2011, the centre has provided a welcoming space for people affected by cancer, offering information, practical support and a listening ear to patients, families, carers and loved ones when they need it most.

Whether someone has just received a diagnosis, is going through treatment, or is adjusting to life afterwards, the team has been there every step of the way.

Fittingly, as today marks Macmillan Coffee Morning, we're also celebrating 15 years of support from a service that has made a difference to countless people across our community. 💚

So as we celebrate this milestone, we want to say thank you to the staff, volunteers and everyone who has helped make the centre such a valued part of our community.

Happy 15th birthday to our Macmillan Support and Information Centre. 🎉