Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed news that QA Hospital is set to begin works for a new Emergency Department, following approval from the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury.
The City MP has lobbied over a number of years for government to provide the funding needed to build the new department, which is set to deliver significant benefit to communities across Portsmouth raising questions in the House of Commons and corresponding with Ministers.
The new department is due to complete in advance of Winter 2024 and will enable the local NHS to better meet the needs of the local community and provide the best clinical care in a modern, safe environment.
Local NHS health leaders have worked with clinical teams to design the layout of the department to not only give additional capacity, but to support them to work in a more streamlined way, with better visibility of patients and closer access to essential support services such as scans and x-ray.
The new Emergency Department is set to deliver:
- Eight adult resus bays for patients needing treatment for critical conditions.
- Two additional resus bays for children.
- Faster and direct access to our radiology teams for scans and tests.
- A streamlined design to improve visibility of patients.
- Adults and children treated in single rooms, not only improving privacy and dignity but also helping to prevent any spread of infectious conditions.
- Two waiting areas for children and young people.
- Designated ED drop off zone as well as disabled car parking close to the entrance.
- Better access for ambulances with a covered handover area.
- An accredited Changing Places accessible facility.
- Energy efficient design and engineering.
- Easy-to-understand signage and wayfinding for visitors.
- Dedicated rest areas for staff.
Mr Morgan is set to visit QA Hospital later this month to catch up on plans, as well as current issues and challenges it faces. This week the hospital has declared a ‘critical incident’ affecting the emergency department.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, said:
“It’s fantastic news that QA Hospital will now get the funding it needs to build a new emergency department that will deliver huge benefits to communities across our city. I’m glad to have played a part in making that happen after years of lobbying.
“Portsmouth deserves the very best NHS services, and this is a welcome step in the right direction. I will continue to do all I can in Westminster to improve access to local health services and to protect our city’s NHS.
“I look forward to catching up with the team at QA Hospital in the coming weeks, as well as discuss the current issues and challenges our NHS faces as we head into winter.”
