Delighted teams have now moved into their brand-new Emergency Department at Walsall Manor Hospital’s c£40m Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC).
The move took place overnight on Wednesday 1 March into Thursday 2 March with the first patients received around 2am on Thursday. The Urgent Treatment Centre set up in its new home on Thursday morning too.
The Acute Medical Unit will be the next to make its move during the day on 9 March. Followed by the Paediatric Assessment Unit on Wednesday 26 April. Imaging services will also move in this month.
The two-storey development, delivered by Tilbury Douglas, will significantly improve emergency care facilities and capacity at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Thursday’s first patients were full of praise for the new environment – both having used the old Emergency Department (ED).
Publican John Horton, 69, who had had a fall and cut his head, said everyone involved should be applauded for providing a much-improved facility.
John, who was brought in by friend Linda Macklin and owns The Fountain Inn, Walsall, said: “I’m amazed to be the first “customer” to walk in and my first impression is the sheer size of the new department.
“Everyone has been so attentive and should be congratulated on what they have achieved here.”
Mother-of-three Keely Ashley, from Darlaston, was the first patient brought in by ambulance after contacting NHS 111 because of stomach pain following a gall bladder operation.
The 38-year-old said: “This new place is so bright and airy, there’s so much more space compared to the old place – everything’s so fresh looking. It’s got to be better for patients.”
Months of preparation have gone into making the transition of staff, patients and new equipment as smooth as possible. Walsall Healthcare’s Digital Services, Infection Prevention and Control, Support Services, Portering, Pharmacy, Chaplaincy, Voluntary Services, Professional Development and Health and Wellbeing Teams have all supported the move – both in the weeks before and on moving night and day. This support will be ongoing.