Hospital’s A&E facelift

11:49am Tuesday 17th June 2008

Comments (4)   Have your say »

A HOSPITAL'S A&E department has undergone a 16-week makeover - despite fears it is set to close.

A&E at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, has been revamped at a cost of £160,000.

However, there is a chance the department could soon close in a reorganisation of south-east London's hospital services.

A joint committee of primary care trusts will make a decision in July after analysing the results of the A Picture of Health consultation, which was sent to 11,000 homes across the region.

The hospital has defended the decision to press ahead with the upgrade, saying the department was in desperate need of a revamp and the work could not wait any longer.

A hospital spokesman said: "With more than 330,000 patient contacts a year, we need to ensure the hospital meets health and safety, disability and cleanliness standards.

"We believe our patients deserve the same environment they would get if they attended hospital elsewhere.

"An investment of £160,000 to achieve this is modest."

He added: "The hospital is here for patients today, tomorrow and until the changes from A Picture of Health are implemented.

"A&E looks brighter, more professional and is easier to keep clean.

"This is important for every patient coming through our doors here and now."

Following the revamp, the A&E department now has better equipped treatment cubicles as well as a new reception and waiting area.

The entire department also has freshly painted walls, new flooring and is more spacious due to the new design.

It is run by 80 staff who see an average of 1,200 patients a week.

Hospital chief executive Kate Grimes said: "We have invested in patient areas which see a lot of wear and tear because of the sheer numbers coming through the hospital, such as outpatients, X-ray, theatres and wards, as well as A&E."