To improve patient privacy, dignity, safety and overall experience, the Women's Health Corridor, which runs between Ward 10 and Endoscopy on HRI's Lower Ground Floor, will be closed as a throughfare route from Monday 10 August.

Currently, the Women's Health Corridor functions as both a clinical environment and a route used by colleagues, patients and visitors to move through the building. This creates through-traffic in an area where patients may be attending sensitive appointments, receiving care, discussing personal health matters or experiencing emotional distress.

Reducing non-essential footfall will help create a calmer, more respectful environment, whilst also minimising inappropriate access through clinical areas and support safeguarding.

A soft closure trial will be taking place from next Monday and the doors to the corridor will remain closed to discourage unnecessary traffic. Doors will not be locked at this stage, though this may be something that comes later.

Colleagues, patients and visitors who are not accessing Women's Health services are asked to please use an alternative route through the hospital, such as the main corridor on the ground floor or the corridor on the basement levels.

The corridor will continue to be accessible for specific clinical purposes such as patient transport and portering services and the restrictions will not apply during a fire evacuation or any other emergency situation. 

A review of the soft closure will happen in September and feedback is welcome prior to the review. Please send any comments, observations or concerns to gemma.abbott@cht.nhs.uk

In particular, the team would like to understand:

• How is the closure of the corridor affecting your ability to do your job?
• How is the closure affecting your ability to provide care for your patients?

Your feedback will help the team assess the impact of the changes and ensure they continue to balance patient privacy and dignity with the operational needs of delivering safe, effective care.