A NEW state-of-the-art ward which will treat people with diabetes and hormone problems has been opened at one of the region's hospitals.The purpose-built £1.

A NEW state-of-the-art ward which will treat people with diabetes and hormone problems has been opened at one of the region's hospitals.

The purpose-built £1.8 million Framlingham Ward was delivered to Ipswich Hospital by a convoy of 27 lorries earlier this summer.

The ward allows clinicians and staff the chance to develop new ways of working together and includes its own treatment unit, greater use of technology and several nursing stations.

It will welcome its first patients this weekend following yesterday's official opening by David Griffiths, chairman of Framlingham Town Council and EADT editor Terry Hunt.

Dr Gerry Rayman, lead consultant for diabetes services at Ipswich 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.

"Our new ward which will care for people will diabetes and endocrine (hormone) problems, will also have a new clinical investigation unit.

"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."

Nick Garrod, service manager for medicine at the hospital, 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."