Peek behind scenes at new £10.9m emergency centre (From Western Telegraph)

Hywel Dda Community Health Council takes a peek at new Emergency and Unscheduled Care Centre at Withybush Hospital

1:50pm Saturday 1st May 2010 in News

As completion of the new Emergency and Unscheduled Care Centre at Withybush Hospital draws closer, representatives from Hywel Dda Community Health Council had a look behind the scenes.

The £10.9million development is due to open in early summer and will create Wales’ most up-to-date emergency care centre.

It will deliver a completely new model of care for local patients — integrating emergency hospital services with GP out-of-hours and urgent social care under one roof.

The new facility will provide improved access and capacity in a purpose-built designed facility as well as two new replacement theatres offering “clean air” technology above the unit, costing £3.4million.

Hywel Dda Health Board chief executive, Trevor Purt, said: “The opening of this centre will be a milestone for the new health board as it demonstrates how we want to develop healthcare services in the future.

“Of paramount importance is delivering high quality emergency services.

“By working with partners to reduce bureaucracy and historic barriers, we will be able to offer patients a more streamlined, accessible and easier to use service.”

Interim chief officer for Hywel Dda Community Health Council, John Skipper, added: “The CHC has been involved in this excellent project since inception.

“What we see today is a truly welcome, state-of-the-art health facility for the benefit of Pembrokeshire patients – not to mention the many visitors the county receives annually.

“What is particularly important is the integration with social care – a vital partnership that underpins the development of community care across the whole patient pathway.

“We now look forward to the doors of the centre opening to the public in the summer.”

The county’s first Adult Clinical Decisions Unit will also be part of the new facility, allowing doctors and nurses to assess, investigate and treat patients before being transferred.

Director of social care for Pembrokeshire County Council and county director for Hywel Dda Health Board, Jon Skone, said: “This is a very important and exciting development which builds upon the success of our partnership.”

The scheme has been funded by the Welsh Assembly and delivered by Hywel Dda Health Board in conjunction with Pembrokeshire County Council, the Welsh Ambulance Trust, the voluntary sector, Community Health Council and developers Interserve.