Work to get underway on a £15 million project at Torbay Hospital
This does mean there will be some disruption - and it will affect some access to the hospital
Last updated 11th Mar 2021
Work is about to start at Torbay Hospital to build a new Acute Medicine Unit.
The £15 million project will reduce overcrowding in the Emergency Department and make sure patients receive 'timely, high quality care'.
The current unit there - known as the Medical Receiving Unit - has 26 assessment spaces for patients, whereas the new facility will see this increase to 52.
Enablement works have already started in preparation for the build to take place. This has included Ophthalmology’s outpatient services moving from the Portacabins in to the main hospital outpatients unit on Level 2.
The AMU construction will impact access to Outpatients Level 2 and there will be changes to access - Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust say they are "aware the works will create some disruption to staff and patients".
New signage will be in place to help with directions and volunteer Wayfinders will be on hand to assist with directions.
Below are the new entry points for certain destinations in the hospital:
- Ophthalmology: Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance, following the one-way system through to the Eye Clinic
- Paediatrics: Main Entrance, Level 4. Lift D with any queues managed
- Heart and Lung: Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance
- Remaining Level 2 Outpatients services and MAAT: Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance, following the one-way system to the general Outpatients main reception to then be directed. Exit will be through the eye treatment door, or the same way as entrance for those with accessibility requirements
COVID-19 screening will be taking place for all patients attending clinics at the entrances, with enhanced cleaning taking place and additional hand gel, hand washing facilities and PPE stations provided.
Kier - the appointed contractor - are expected to be on site from Monday 15 March and it is anticipated the building works will last for 12 months.
The outpatient pharmacy will remain open and accessible via footpath.