WORK is set to begin next month on a multi-million pound new two-storey extension and eight bed resuscitation area to the Emergency Department at York Hospital.

The £15 million project to expand and reconfigure the department’s urgent and emergency care facilities to increase capacity and improve care for patients. It will see a new eight bed resuscitation area along with improvements to both the waiting room and the consultation and treatment areas.

While the work is being carried out the current A&E will remain where it is, but the hospital says patient care will not be affected.

Gary Kitching, Consultant and Clinical Director in Emergency Medicine, said: “These much-needed improvements will make an enormous difference to the department. As well as twelve new assessment and treatment cubicles, where patients will be met by the senior team as soon as they arrive, there will be a dedicated safe room for mental health patients.

“The new resuscitation zone is a huge upgrade, increasing our capacity significantly, with a dedicated area for children. There will also be a new infectious diseases cubicle that includes a point of care testing laboratory and glazed cubicles for privacy and infection control.”

The new remodelled waiting area will include a separate children's area and supporting facilities such as nappy changing area.

Mike Harkness, Care Group Director for the Emergency Department, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to make changes and be able to create improvements for the urgent and emergency care service of the future at York Hospital. This investment will provide the extra space and facilities we need and improve initial assessment and faster decision making for patients, as well as creating a much better working environment for our staff.”