Blackpool Teaching Hospitals will open its all-new Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit today, Monday 5 September with the new facility benefitting both patients and the healthcare system by reducing waiting times and hospital visits.
The new SDEC completes the second phase of the Trust’s new Emergency Village project, following the Critical Care move to the building in early August.
The SDEC model ensures that patients presenting at hospital with relevant 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.
In addition to medical and surgical treatments, patients can also be referred to the SDEC for specialisms which currently include gynaecology, urology, orthopaedics and ear, nose and throat (ENT).
Patients can be referred for SDEC treatment via a direct triage from the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), via their GP, via a direct transfer from an ambulance or through a direct referral from NHS 111.
Speaking about the launch of the new Same Day Emergency Care Unit, Dr Adeline Israel, Clinical lead on the Emergency Village and ED Consultant at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals said: “The SDEC will significantly improve patient pathways at the Trust, as those most appropriate for care can be seen right away, assessed, diagnosed, treated and then sent home the same day.
“At a time when the NHS and Emergency Care in particular is facing pressures, the SDEC model can help patient flow and assist with capacity.
“The multi-disciplinary approach to Same Day Emergency Care is exciting as a project as it will create an environment of camaraderie and cross-learning from the different specialities around the Trust.”
Trish Armstrong-Child, Chief Executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals said: “I am delighted we are now in a position to be opening our Same Day Emergency Care unit. As you know this is a key milestone for the work that we have been doing to improve our urgent care facilities.
“It is important that we recognise all the hard work and dedication undertaken by all our teams that have made this possible.”
Gareth Hobson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals said: “The opening of our new Same Day Emergency Care unit is a landmark moment for the Trust, providing a dedicated facility and bringing with it significant benefits to patient flow and improved pathways.
“SDEC helps us provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time for our patients with the aim of avoiding unplanned and longer than necessary stays in the hospital.
“Alongside the new Critical Care unit, which opened in August, the SDEC continues our investment in the very best healthcare facilities as part of the Emergency Village project.”
Sarah Senior Acting Managing Director of Atlas added: “Atlas are privileged to continue to work alongside the clinical teams in the delivery of the Emergency Village scheme. It always feels fantastic to hand over a successful project to the Trust knowing that the facility will contribute to significant improvements in patient Care. Our focus now is to deliver the second phase of development within the Emergency Department.”