Upgrade of Daisy Hill’s Emergency Department continues
The third and final stage of redevelopment of the Emergency Department at Daisy Hill Hospital is underway.
Work has begun on developing a new central nurse’s station, additional offices, a relatives’ room and new improved waiting room. The conclusion of this work by the summer will see the completion of what has been a total modernisation of the unit.
An extension which doubled the size of the Department was completed in autumn 2011 and further work last spring included creating more treatment areas, better facilities for treating children and improving isolation facilities to comply with best practice in infection control.
The Department was originally built to cater for half the number of patients who currently attend, so this investment was greatly welcomed by staff as Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Daisy Hill Mr Conor O’Toole explained.
“We treat over 36,000 people each year and this is projected to rise to 50,000 over the next ten years. Our team are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our patients so we are delighted to now have the facilities to help make our jobs that little bit easier.”
This is one of a number of developments on site this year. A new Pharmacy is also near to completion and a £4.7 million Theatres project is now underway.
Whilst work to the Emergency Department continues, patients requiring emergency care should enter the hospital through the main lobby and use the Outpatients Waiting Room.
There is signage on site and there will be hospital volunteers on hand at the entrance to direct patients during this time. Ambulances will continue to arrive at the Emergency Department entrance.
A number of car parking spaces will be out of use at the hospital while these projects continue, and the Trust is appealing to patients, visitors and staff for co-operation during this time.
Dr Gillian Rankin, Director of Acute Services explained, “We recognise the disruption that hospital users have been challenged with since January and would like to take this opportunity to thank people for their continued support whilst we are making these improvements.”
The Trust recommends that people allow plenty of time to facilitate parking when attending the hospital.
Where possible if patients could be dropped off and collected by friends or family to avoid parking difficulties or an alternative option may also be to use the bus route (41) which stops outside the hospital from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=30153
Posted by Newry Times News
on Mar 29 2013. Filed under Community.
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