First phase of 'same day emergency care' project complete

The first phase of work to improve the ‘Same Day Emergency Care’ (SDEC) units at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and the QEQM Hospital in Margate, has been completed.

This means both sites are now ready to move into the second phase of the build which is due to be finished by next summer and will benefit both patients and the healthcare system by reducing waiting times and hospital admissions.

A number of areas at William Harvey Hospital have been re-located for enabling moves for the building works, including the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) moving to the building formerly known as the Paula Carr building. General surgery outpatients has now moved to the mobile unit in the fracture clinic car park.

At QEQM Hospital, the UTC has been moved to the Sarre building. Other major moves have included outpatient therapies (which were in the Sarre building) relocating to Walmer A, and a new rehabilitation gym has been created.

SDEC units allows acute specialists to assess, diagnose and treat patients on the same day of arrival who would otherwise have been admitted to hospital. Under this care model, patients presenting at hospital with certain conditions can be rapidly assessed, diagnosed and treated without being admitted to a ward, and if clinically safe to do so, will go home the same day their care is provided. The Trust has been awarded £28.95m funding across both sites to improve the patient journey and experience.

More information can be found on this project and other work to improve your hospitals.