The Government has announced that Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will receive £36 million to build a new emergency department. This is part of the Government’s £963 m funding boost for health facilities across England.
The current emergency department has had considerable pressure on its services over the past few years, with increased footfall from surrounding areas and an environment that has not been fit for purpose. The new emergency department will help meet future predicted demand.
Danielle Oum, chair of the Trust, said: “This decision is significant and will make a real difference to the quality of care we can deliver to our patients and the working environment for our colleagues ”
Richard Beeken, chief executive, added: “We are delighted that our bid for investment in the emergency department at the hospital has been positively considered and approved. Our staff have worked tirelessly in tough conditions over many years, as demand for our services through the front door has increased.
"We hope that the new build will ease pressure on the department and provide opportunities for new ways of working which will untimely provide a better experience for our patients and their families.”
Walsall clinical commissioning group accountable officer, Paul Maubach, said: “This is excellent news for the people of Walsall.
“The CCG has worked hard to secure this funding to upgrade facilities, increase capacity and give our patients access to good, safe and effective care in the best setting."
Professor Simon Brake, CCG chief officer, said: “We are delighted with this news, and are keen to demonstrate the benefits that this investment will bring to people in Walsall through high quality, safe and integrated services across the whole of health and social care.
“This long-needed development also meets the CCG’s long term strategy of delivering integrated care through bringing together urgent and emergency care into a single, high quality, fit-for-purpose building.”
The Trust will announce plans for the start of the expansion in early 2019.
