New era for Withybush A&E (From Western Telegraph)

New era for Withybush A&E

10:10am Saturday 20th September 2008 in News

A new era began this week after the old A&E department at Withybush Hospital was demolished.

Work will now begin on the construction of a replacement department, a £10.3million Emergency and Urgent Care Centre.

Just a few weeks ago, staff at Withybush Hospital bid a fond farewell to the former A&E department, which had served the people of Pembrokeshire for the last 25 years, at a special ceremony attended by current and former members of staff.

Associate director for Hywel Dda NHS Trust, Mags Barnaby, said: “This marks the beginning of a new era for emergency and urgent care services in Pembrokeshire.

“The end result will be a single service, known as Urgent Care Pembrokeshire, that will work together to improve quality of care and the patients’ experience of care.

“Construction of this fantastic new facility will take around 18 months and, during that time, the work may cause some inconvenience to patients and visitors.

“This marks the beginning of a new era for emergency and urgent care services in Pembrokeshire.

Associate director for Hywel Dda NHS Trust, Mags Barnaby

“The end result, though, will be much improved facilities, so we are very grateful for everyone’s patience while this important work is carried out.”

Once opened, the new centre will be four times as big as the old A&E and will be able to treat up to 50,000 patients a year.

Interserve Project Services is constructing the new centre and has significant experience in healthcare projects in Wales and across the UK. The company recently completed building work on the new A&E department and critical care unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

During construction, members of the public are advised that a large part of the former A&E, Rehabilitation Day Hospital and current ambulance drop-off area will be out of bounds. Temporary A&E drop off bays for patients are being provided in the car park opposite the current A&E entrance.