QEQM Hospital’s new Emergency Department has been unveiled this week.
The first phase of a multi-million-pound expansion of the department features a new children’s emergency department, large new treatment areas for adults, dedicated areas for patients with mental health needs, a new entrance for patients and waiting area.
It also includes much-needed staff facilities, including dedicated spaces for clinical teaching, staff rest areas and work spaces.
Jo Williams, head of nursing for urgent and emergency care at QEQM, said: “We have worked really closely with the architects and construction partners to create fantastic new treatment areas for our patients and a dedicated area to support staff wellbeing.
“We’re really proud of the new department and it has been fantastic to welcome patients this week. Huge thanks to everyone involved in the extraordinary effort to open the first phase.”
The second phase of the department’s transformation starts later this month, when extensive renovations within the existing department get underway to create a new rapid assessment area and more areas for patients with mental health needs.
The third phase, due to start next year, will expand and renovate the resuscitation area, where some of the sickest patients are treated.
New artwork featuring stunning scenes of Thanet coastline take pride of place throughout the new unit, part-funded by East Kent Hospitals Charity.
The £7million, three-year project for the departments at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate has been made possible by capital funding from NHS England.
