Emergency Department expansion at Southend begins
Improvements will include a dedicated paediatrics area
An £8.5million expansion of Southend Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) has now started.
The installation of a steel frame extension shows just how big the new space will be, helping improve the flow of patients not just through the department, but through the whole hospital.
Improvements will include a dedicated paediatrics area, linking it to the existing children’s ward and creating a better experience and calmer environment for children coming into hospital.
Treatment areas, waiting rooms and resuscitation areas will be redesigned to improve flow through the hospital, meaning those coming to ED get the urgent care they need, faster and allowing ambulances to handover patients as quickly as possible.
Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For many ED is their front door experience of the hospital, so it’s fantastic to see construction starting, and we know what a difference an improved ED will make to our population and our staff. We’re not just improving things for now, but this work means we can futureproof the department for years to come.
“This is just the beginning of our improvements, which are being paid for by some of the £118million funding we secured from the Department of Health and Social Care last year. We look forward to making further changes to benefit our patients, visitors and staff, with the remainder of the funding.”
The new ED is set to open in summer 2025. Additional beds are planned for phase two, and capacity has already increased earlier this year with the opening of a 16-space clinical assessment unit. This provides more areas to rapidly assess and treat patients coming in by ambulance.
Southend’s ED department remains open to patients while work continues.