New A&E department opens at Portsmouth's QA Hospital
It replaces a centre that has been open since 1979
A brand new, multi-million pound accident and emergency department has opened at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth this morning (Tuesday 26th).
The new centre replaces one which first opened at the building in Cosham back in 1979.
It aims to provide better facilities for both children and adults requiring emergency care, including additional space to care for their most unwell patients, including those in need of rescucsitation support.
Work on the building began last year following a national investment of £58 million.
Penny Emerit, Chief Executive at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) said:
"We are delighted to open our new Emergency Department which is a much-needed investment to improve the experience of those in our community who need emergency care.
"The old department had been in use since 1979 and was designed to care for many less people than we now see every day.
"We are proud of the role we play as a local hospital and hope that you share our pride in the care that we can provide in this fantastic new department.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported this project. Opening the Department today is a major milestone in delivering our plans to improve urgent and emergency care across Portsmouth and the surrounding area."
Among the changes are separate entrance and waiting areas for child and adult patients, while patients will experience more privacy while receiving care and improved infection control with most patients being treated in single rooms.
The new facilities within the Emergency Department include:
• more natural light throughout the building, beneficial for our patients and staff
• custom designed areas for care to be delivered, so all patients, however they arrive at the department are assessed quickly and cared for in the most appropriate place
• new signage to keep patients updated on the different stages of their time with us
• observed play area and sensory room in the Children’s Emergency Department
• a Changing Places toilet within the adults’ department entrance, offering extra features to meet the needs of people who may use it
People in need of medical help or advice in Portsmouth and its surrounding areas are still being urged to only use the Emergency Department for life-threatening injuries and conditions.
Kate Hardy, Consultant and Clinical Director for Building Better Emergency Care added,
"Emergency Departments are not for minor injuries, but for people needing life-saving care. People from all over the Trust have come together to improve care for our communities and support the design of the new department, something made more significant as for a lot of staff this is their local hospital too.
"We have designed pathways with colleagues in the community to make it easier to understand how to access the right care when needed. As fantastic as our new facilities are, we hope people will never need to use them.
"But if you do need it, our teams continue to be here for those who need emergency care."