Queen’s Hospital, in Rom Valley Way, has received a funding boost from the government
The money comes from a £300 million government funding pot to upgrade Emergency Department facilities prior to the colder months.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), which runs the Romford based hospital, will be spending the money on providing Point of Care Testing (POCT).
The current Rapid Access and First Treatment (RAFT) area is also going to be expanded to improve patient flow through the department.
This will allow for the number of patients who can be assessed at the same time to increase, while maintaining the two-metre social distancing measures.
The time taken for ambulance crews to handover patients will also be reduced, ensuring patients are cared for quicker and therefore reducing the number of people in the Emergency Department.
By introducing POCT testing, results of laboratory blood tests performed outside of the lab, will be available immediately to patients.
This will cut treatment delays while waiting for test results.
Chief Executive at the Trust, Tony Chambers said: “Covid-19 continues to be an issue for us and we need to ensure we can provide timely care to our patients this winter, while also keeping them safe from the risk of infection.
“This government funding will allow us to reconfigure our department, ensuring social distancing can be observed, while increasing the number of patients we can assess, reduce ambulance handover times, and improve care for our patients with more rapid testing, leading to faster diagnosis, and getting the care they need quicker.
“It will also help us to free up the necessary capital so we can invest a similar amount in upgrading facilities at our Emergency Department at King George Hospital.”
The upgrade is due to be finished early next year, in time for the winter peak.
For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM
Tags: Romford, Havering, BHRUT, Queen's Hospital
