A STATE of the art ward to deal with patients with diabetes and hormone problems is due to open at Ipswich Hospital this week.The ward was delivered to the Heath Road site earlier this summer by a convoy of 27 lorries.

A STATE of the art ward to deal with patients with diabetes and hormone problems is due to open at Ipswich Hospital this week.

The ward was delivered to the Heath Road site earlier this summer by a convoy of 27 lorries.

Specially designed and purpose built, the £1.8 million ward will have its own treatment unit, greater use of technology and several nursing stations rather than just a central station.

Following the trend of other wards in the hospital being named after Suffolk's towns and villages, the new arrival will be called Framlingham ward.

Dr Gerry Rayman, the lead consultant for diabetes services at the hospital said: "It is a fantastic new facility for people who need to stay in hospital.

"The ward is very welcoming, spacious and brings together the whole team of staff caring for patients on the ward

"We have been able to bring our community based diabetes service and our in-patient service much closer together physically and this will be of great benefit to people with diabetes, their family and friends."

The ward will also have a clinical investigation unit.

Nick Garrod, service manager for medicine, said: "A huge amount of team work with colleagues working in primary care as well as within the hospital, has gone into planning and developing Framlingham Ward,"