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12
Dec
New medical unit to speed up urgent care opens at Harrogate hospital
A new acute medical ward which promises patients faster and safer urgent care has opened at Harrogate District Hospital.
The state-of-the-art facility, which is in the former Littondale ward, includes 32 beds, five en-suite side rooms and three medically enhanced care beds for higher dependency patients.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said the new ward will act as a single assessment unit for acutely unwell patients who have been referred by their GP, the emergency department or outpatient department.
Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of the trust, said:
This new, state of the art facility will be the first point of entry for many people referred to our hospital, and it is important to create a calm environment where assessments and treatments can be carried out swiftly and efficiently, reducing waiting times and supporting staff to deliver the highest standards of care.
Winter is always a busy time for the NHS with an increase in patients with respiratory conditions. Opening this new unit will mean we are better prepared for the months ahead.
The new facility will be open 24/7 and is designed to quickly direct patients to the most appropriate place for their care.
Following assessment by multi-disciplinary team, which comprises nursing and medical staff with different specialist knowledge, and appropriate tests, patients may then be discharged the same day or transferred to a specialist ward to continue treatment.
The trust hopes the new unit will reduce pressure on its emergency department and other acute medical wards, helping patients get back home as quickly and safely as possible.
It added that the facility has been designed to be a welcoming space with features such as sky tiles, which simulates natural light, enhancing the visual appeal and creating a calming atmosphere.
The unit also includes a nurse Smartcall system, which provides nursing staff with instant alerts on digital devices when patients press a call button when they require assistance.
Charly Gill, associate director of nursing at the trust, said:
Designed with patients at its core, the new unit provides a calm, dedicated environment where assessments and treatments can be carried out swiftly and efficiently away from the busy Emergency Department.
This ensures that every patient is directed to the right place, at the right time, to be cared for by the right person.
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