The Department of Health has today announced that South Devon and Torbay is to benefit from funding of up to £13m, to improve urgent and emergency services for local people through creating Urgent Care Centres in Newton Abbot and Torquay, and to deliver a major refurbishment of Torbay Hospital’s existing A&E department.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director, said:“This is fantastic news for the people of Torbay and South Devon. Urgent Care Centres will enable us to work closer with our GP colleagues to provide a range of emergency services in purpose-built environments which will better meet our patients’ clinical needs. This is a big step forward in delivering our new model of care to provide health and care services to our local people.
“Urgent Care Centres will offer a greater range of services than an MIU, with enhanced diagnostics facilities, so staff will be able to assess and treat a wider range of conditions. We expect this to be of particular benefit to some of our older patients who come in with multiple, complex long-term conditions. Our staff will have greater access to diagnostic tests during assessment and will then be able to organise support in the community for some people who might otherwise end up being admitted via ED to a hospital bed, whilst waiting for tests.
“We are particularly delighted that we will be able to enhance, extend and refurbish the Emergency Department at Torbay Hospital. It is in sore need of redevelopment and our plans will offer people more comfort, privacy and dignity, whilst creating a modern, up to date working environment for our hard-working and committed teams of staff. Our staff and partners do an amazing job of providing high quality care, but they are really hampered by the cramped and ageing facilities.”
The Trust together with our partners will now develop detailed plans that will provide the buildings, environment and services to enable us to continue to deliver our new model of care where we care for more patients outside of the hospital setting whilst improving their experience and maintaining their safety whenever they need emergency care.Plans include:
· A new-build extension to Torbay Hospital’s Emergency Department to provide a new ED majors area and ambulance access for adults and children, dramatically improving the environment and addressing major privacy and safety concerns.
· A new build extension to provide a new Urgent Care Centre in Torquay on the Torbay Hospital site with integrated imaging/diagnostics, and GPs co-located with minor injuries services, for adults and children ·
· Continued investment in facilities to support people with mental health issues in an emergency
· Easy access to urgent care services from bus stops and drop off areas
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Contact us
