MORE than £300,000 is being spent on a minor injuries unit in the emergency department and a facelift for the back entrance of Barnsley Hospital. Due to open this summer, the £240,000 refurbishment will provide purpose-built facilities for the assessment and treatment of a wide range of urgent conditions, minor injuries and illnesses and enable ready access to a comprehensive range of support services, including X-ray, pharmacy, outpatient clinics, social work and intermediate care teams. Emergency medicine consultant, Dr Julian Humphrey, said: "Having a larger dedicated area should help us deal with all our ambulatory patients without prolonged waiting times. It also means patients will receive the best possible treatment and advice, efficiently and effectively from the most-appropriate healthcare professional." A further £73,000 is being spent on the other side of the hospital where entrance A3 is undergoing a facelift. When finished, the canopy will be extended and glass screens will provide shelter from wind and rain. There will also be extra entrance mats to help prevent excess water and mud being brought into the hospital corridors.
