New facility opens offering patients speedy care while avoiding hospital admissions
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust’s new facility for same day emergency care has been officially opened by NHS England (NHSE) National Medical Director Steve Powis, following NHSE investment to improve urgent and emergency care while reducing waiting times.
The purpose-built Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) facility is the new location for the rapid care service for patients who do not have severe, life-threatening conditions but would otherwise be admitted onto a ward to receive the care they need.
Located at the Trust’s Guildford site, it allows healthcare professionals to assess, diagnose, treat and safely discharge up to 30 patients the very same day they arrive.
It can be used to care for a variety of conditions including head injuries, chest pain, pneumonia and acute infections.
The new SDEC building has three consultation rooms, seven treatment bays and a welcoming reception area, providing modern, well-equipped facilities that are built to meet the needs of the local community.
The rapid treatment service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team including nurses, doctors and advanced clinical practitioners.
Patients can be directed to the service from the Emergency Department (A&E), their GP, a hospital appointment, and an inpatient ward when they are ready to go home but are waiting for a test or treatment that can be delivered after discharge.
Patients transferred to the service may be given an attendance time immediately or a time to come back either on the same or next day.
Louise Green, Royal Surrey’s Chief of Service for Access and Medicine, said:
“We want to make sure that no one stays overnight on a hospital ward if they can safely return home, and we are delighted to open this new facility which supports this. As well as helping people get home sooner, this same-day service frees up ward beds for those with the greatest medical needs and reduces emergency department waits, while making sure that everyone gets more rapid access to the right care they need.”
Professor Steve Powis cut the ribbon to officially open the building on 2 May 2024. He said:
“It was a pleasure to visit Royal Surrey and see how well the teams organise their services for patients with an urgent medical problem.
“It was great to open their new Same Day Emergency Care Unit and see how they have transformed spaces in A&E following their recent grant from NHS England.
“I am confident that these changes will improve the experience for patients and create a positive working environment for staff, which is really important for morale.”
As well as the SDEC, the Guildford hospital provides same-day urgent care services for cancer patients and patients living with frailty.
The SDEC has been built with a £2.8million investment from NHS England. It is part of a national drive to make sure patients get the right care more quickly, relieve pressures on hospitals and reduce waiting times.
The same funding has improved the Emergency Department, by remodelling the streaming and assessment area, creating three new separate spaces for assessments by specialist nurses and doctors, as well as creating additional rooms for diagnostic tests and for preparing medication.
Pictured: NHS England National Medical Director Steve Powis (pictured centre) officially opens Royal Surrey’s new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) facility.