The NHS Trust Development Authority (NHS TDA) has approved the Outline Business Case for a £17.5m scheme to completely rebuild the emergency department at Croydon University Hospital.
The decision, subject to final approval later in the year, means the trust is on course to begin construction of a bigger and better A&E unit to meet growing demand for emergency care in the London borough.
The proposed new unit will give the hospital increased flexibility to meet changes in demand and, working with health partners, will provide better urgent and emergency care to more people. It will also give doctors and nurses ‘direct line of sight’ of patients through an improved layout that has been designed by clinicians to deliver better-quality of care and safety.
In addition, the hospital will be much lighter and brighter to offer patients more-comfortable and modern surroundings.
Despite the very best efforts of our clinical staff, the current emergency department at Croydon University Hospital is now tired and out of date
The emergency department is one of the busiest in south London, treating up to 400 people a day, with on average 100 ambulance arrivals – a rise in demand of more than 40% in the past decade.
John Goulston, chief executive of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said: “Despite the very best efforts of our clinical staff, the current emergency department at Croydon University Hospital is now tired and out of date. It is far too small for the number of patients we treat and our staff, the Care Quality Commission, and, most importantly, our patients, have all said that we need to drastically improve the physical fabric.”
He added: “The NHS TDA’s decision takes us one step closer to building a brand new department for people in Croydon. This will dramatically improve the care of the many thousands of patients we see every week. It will also give our patients and staff a bigger, brighter and more-modern facility that is not only fit for purpose, but will deliver greater flexibility to meet future demands for high-quality emergency care in the borough.”
The NHS TDA’s decision takes us one step closer to building a brand new department for people in Croydon
Work is now underway to provide the additional information and assurance required by the NHS TDA for the Full Business Case, which represents the final stage of the approval process. Subject to approval, the new facility will open in late 2015.
During the planned rebuild, a full emergency care service will continue to be provided from a mix of temporary structures and existing buildings adjacent to the current department.
