The Fielding Johnson Ward was paid for with a government grant and it is hoped it will relieve some of the pressure on accident & emergency.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust secured �523,000 at the end of last year to set up a new 15-18 bed ward.

The trust has only just emerged from its worst ever beds crisis.

The ward will be geared towards orthopaedic patients and should help cut the demand for beds.

Earlier this week the Leicester Royal Infirmary was placed on red alert, which resulted in operations being cancelled and people in accident and emergency facing waits of up to 12 hours.