£4million expansion at A&E is welcome - The Worcester Observer

£4million expansion at A&E is welcome

Worcester Editorial 21st Sep, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

WORCESTER’S MP Robin Walker has welcomed the £4million expansion of Worcestershire Royal’s Accident and Emergency department.

The expansion of the department, due to be completed by February next year, will see four high dependency beds added, as well as new treatment and consultation rooms and additional waiting areas.

It’s hoped the multi-million pound funding injection will help hospital staff cope with the increase in demand in the city’s A&E.

The hospital was originally built to deal with about 45,000 people at a time, but has been treating about 66,500 putting a strain on A&E services as the population gets bigger and people live longer.




Mr Walker has said the extra funding will help with capacity in the department, but the Worcester MP is still pushing for a larger upgrade of Worcestershire Royal.

“Upgrading Worcester’s hopsital was the number one point in my twelve point plan for Worcester at the election. I am very pleased to see this vital funding come through,” Mr Walker said.


“It is clear that our hospital was built too small for the long-term growth in demand it would face and the additional investment being put into the NHS must be used to meet this demand.

“This first step will bring a welcome increase to capacity both for emergency admissions and, just as importantly for safe discharges.

“I continue to press for a bigger upgrade to the Worcestershire Royal and remain convinced that this is necessary for the long run, but today’s announcement is certainly a step in the right direction.”

Dr James France, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, said: “The level of A&E attendance at Worcester is currently more than 50 per cent greater than was originally planned for when the hospital was built.

“The extra room will help us to triage patients much quicker, and also improve privacy and dignity.”

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