New Hospital Is 'Something To Be Proud Of'
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England National Medical Director, says the new Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital at Cramlington, is an investment in the future and something people here should be proud of.
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England National Medical Director, says the new Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital at Cramlington, is an investment in the future and something people here should be proud of.
Speaking to Metro Radio on his visit to the site, which is due to open in June, he said the decision was made a long time ago and it is the best use of NHS money here.
Sir Bruce met some of the doctors and nurses who have helped design the hospital and who will be caring for seriously ill or injured patients from North Tyneside and Northumberland.
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital is the first purpose-built hospital in the country dedicated to treating serious illness and injuries. Sir Bruce carried out the topping out ceremony just over a year ago, describing the hospital as a “glimpse of the future”.
A&E consultants will work 24/7 and specialists in a broad range of conditions will work seven days a week to treat the 530,000 population of North Tyneside and Northumberland.
Most patients will arrive by blue light ambulance or will be referred in by their GP. Staff worked with architects to ensure that the needs of patients were central to the design of the hospital
Senior decision making on arrival and fast access to diagnostics located close to the A & E hub will ensure speedy test results allowing specialists to start treatment earlier, improving outcomes and recovery.
The new hospital is in line with Sir Bruce Keogh's recommendations for major emergency centres with consistent levels of senior staffing and access to specialist equipment seven days a week.
Separating emergency care from planned care will also have benefits for patients at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham general hospitals. They will become centres of excellence for planned operations and all outpatient clinics and diagnostics will take place there.
Urgent care 24 hour walk-in services at Wansbeck, North Tyneside and Hexham general hospitals will treat those patients with less serious conditions, and patients will be seen quicker as emergencies will be treated at the new hospital.