A children's emergency department is set to reopen after undergoing £3.5 million of improvements. The Children and Young People’s Emergency Department, based at Queen's Medical Centre, will open on Tuesday, October 11, after its clinical capacity was expanded by 50 per cent.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), the NHS trust that runs the hospital, said two resuscitation cubicles had been added, as well as dedicated entrances for ambulances and children and young people. New waiting areas have also been built, with plans for a new mental health space in the spring.
Catherine Livingston, matron for the department, said she was excited to see its reopening. "We have made it a friendly environment for children and young people and the additional clinical features we have put in will improve the overall patient and visitor experience allowing us to continue to deliver excellent care," she said.
Read more: Works begins on new £2.6m Queen's Medical Centre Children's Emergency Department
Work on the improvements began in May and was funded by capital money the hospital trust has access to every year. At Nottingham City Hospital, a new ward and additional operating theatres are being proposed by the trust as part of its broader Tomorrow's NUH plans.
Campaigners have welcomed the transformation, noting that the old facilities "clearly needed upgrading". Mike Scott, spokesman for Keep Our NHS Public said: "The emphasis on improved mental health services for young people is especially welcome.
"There has been a massive rise in referrals over the past few years, made worse by the pandemic. Our only concern is whether staffing levels are high enough to take full advantage of the new facilities." Colin Gilhooley, clinical lead consultant for children and young People, added: "The Children and Young People's Emergency Department is extremely grateful for the support of NUH in increasing the capacity and the department’s ability to look after children and young people.
"This has been alongside a phenomenal investment in medical staff and increased consultant hours to help the department to care for the severely unwell and injured children in the East Midlands region. At NUH we know how valuable investing in improvements to our spaces is and hope this meets the needs of people that use our hospitals.”
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