Ipswich Hospital given £640k to upgrade discharge lounge
TV's, hot meals and a comfortable environment for patients before they return home.
Last updated 13th Jun 2023
£640,000 is going towards a new discharge lounge in Ipswich - designed to help cut urgent and emergency care waiting times.
The discharge lounge will be for patients that are due to be discharged, but are waiting for medication or transport.
Patients waiting in the lounge will have a 'comfortable environment', with TV's and hot meals available, while nurses will be in the lounge for any care needs.
The discharge lounge in Ipswich is one of 42 being set-up or upgraded in the country as part of the Governments 'Urgent and Emergency Care Plan.'
The Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “These new ambulance hubs and discharge lounges are another example of how we’re investing to cut waiting times – one of the government’s top five priorities."
It is hoped the discharge lounge will free-up more space in wards, with patients able to leave their hospital beds earlier.