NEWS that the controversial Intermediate Care Unit at the Dilke Hospital will now take the form of six inpatient beds in individual rooms has been welcomed by the Hospital Friends.

The move also heralds 'the beginning of the end' of mixed sex accommodation at the Dilke, says Gloucestershire NHS Trust.

Friends spokesman Bob Young, who was away in Skegness when the news was announced on Monday afternoon, said they were very pleased about the new facility, to be known as the Woodlands Unit.

"We are glad that the intermediate beds issue has been settled and of course we are glad the hospital has gained this additional accommodation for local patients," he said.

The new unit is now expected to open within a few days, says the NHS.

Since its original announcement some time ago, the fate of the Intermediate Care Unit has been shrouded in controversy, with fears that it might become redundant with a growing emphasis on home care in modern medical practice.

The NHS says this week's announcement "follows careful consideration of how the new facility can contribute to the development of services in the Forest of Dean and local and national targets to end mixed sex accommodation for the benefit of patients."

Acting NHS director of care services Trish Jay said: "Patients at Dilke Memorial Hospital will continue to benefit from the same high standards of care and men and women who stay in the Woodlands Unit will receive their care in individual rooms.

"In this way we can meet the highest standards of privacy and dignity and ensure that the patient experience is the best it can be."

The NHS added the Community Intermediate Care Team will continue to provide rehabilitation care to support people in their own homes and ensure that patients receive personalised care within familiar surroundings.