NHS Lanarkshire is investing over £832,000 to improve the emergency department at University Hospital Wishaw (UHW).
The programme of work, which begins on Monday (13 February), will increase the size of the clinical space in the department – providing a better environment for patients and staff.
Frances Brownlie, planning and development team manager, said: “In recent times, we have faced increased demand for urgent care.
“The current space within the emergency department at University Hospital Wishaw presents challenges for staff and can have a negative impact on waiting times.
“This investment demonstrates NHS Lanarkshire’s commitment to improving urgent care for patients and staff.”
University Hospital Wishaw’s emergency department was originally built to accommodate 150 patients per day. The number of people attending the department now averages 190 patients per day, and as the Board’s Trauma Unit, the department also sees a greater number of patients with major injuries than when it was first constructed.
The improvement work will increase the overall number of clinical assessment bays, and upgrade existing clinical assessment bays, creating more space and improving flow through the department.
Frances added: “The overall improvement work will be taken forward in phases. This is to minimise disruption and to allow the emergency department to function throughout the building works
“The first phase will create an additional seven treatment bays and provide improvements to current space with additional phases planned to further increase capacity.”
