Work has started on the development of a new emergency department at Walsall Manor Hospital.
Commissioned by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, the new 5,400sq m facility, being built by Tilbury Douglas, will significantly increase capacity in the department.
It has been designed to provide a central destination for all patients and visitors, bringing together previously-separate pathways.
The improved design also allows for greater flexibility and the addition of extra space and capacity in core areas when required.
The department will house a reception area and a waiting and triage area, where admissions can be prioritised and directed more efficiently.
Clinical spaces include an urgent treatment centre; majors department, including resus and rapid assessment; a paediatric assessment and treatment unit; an acute medical unit; and provision for ambulatory emergency care in a future phase.
Various specialist facilities are also located in the unit, such as an isolation room for infectious patients; bariatric provision, and X-ray rooms.
And all areas have been designed to enhance staff efficiency, productivity, and quality of care.
Built adjacent to the current A&E provision, the existing building will also be reconfigured and refurbished, providing additional support space for the hospital and staff on completion of the new build.
The project will be delivered to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability standards, helping the trust deliver on their long-term carbon reduction agenda.
Russell Caldicott, executive director of finance and performance and the trust’s senior responsible officer for the development, said: “This is fantastic news for patients, staff, and visitors and builds further upon the multi-million pound developments for integrated critical care and the neonatal unit, giving the trust the estates infrastructure to cope with future healthcare demands.”
Ned Hobbs, the trust’s chief operating officer, added: “A five-month programme of enabling work has now been completed during which time we’ve seen the widening of the blue light route for ambulances, as well as mine workings carried out and the installation of more than 460 piles to support the steel frame.
“The new ambulance parking area outside the old emergency department entrance has also been completed.
“So much has already been achieved, but when the main phase gets underway that is when the whole project will suddenly seem much more for those of us who are watching its progress with such excitement.
“In just over a year’s time we will have a fantastic new addition to Walsall Manor Hospital that will provide a massive improvement to our healthcare services.”
The work is due for completion next autumn.
