A new unit has opened at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) to help tackle NHS backlogs and ensure pressure on A&E doesn't hit those waiting for planned operations.
Most of the planned procedures scheduled at the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust take place at Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck hospitals which leaves NSECH in Cramlingto n to deal with emergency care - but this is not always the case. Now a new "procedures unit" which will provide a purpose-built space for non-emergency cases.
Previously this kind of procedure - which can be minor surgery, procedures needing a CT scan or in specialities like gynaecology and cardiology - took place in the hospital's ambulatory care unit. But now, the new facility will mean that space there will be freed up for emergencies.
The new unit has 20 beds and the NHS Trust said it provided a "more relaxed and calmer environment" for patients. The unit is nurse-led - and matron Jayne Redpath said so far feedback from patients had been positive. She added: "The aim of this development was to make best use of the space we have in the hospital by providing a bespoke unit for planned care and opening up more capacity in ambulatory care and A&E, ultimately with the goal of maintaining high-quality care for all of our patients, whether they are here for emergency treatment or booked appointments.
"So far that has certainly proved to be the case, with the feedback from patients using the units being very positive, thanks to the dedicated, specialist team and a more peaceful environment for waiting and treatment."
She said staff had also welcomed the new dedicated area and said it enabled them to focus on caring for patients.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust has embarked on a range of construction projects - including the rebuild of Berwick Infirmary - in recent years. Demolition on the Berwick project is now complete and with the build now beginning, NHS leaders are considering how to bring "as many services as possible" to the north Northumberland site.
The trust is carrying out a £326m "masterplan" which will see modernisation work across sites from Berwick to Rake Lane.
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