A major project aimed at taking the pressure of the county’s busy main hospital is nearing completion, it was confirmed this week.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin joined Worcester MP Robin Walker for a tour of the new Emergency Department, which is being built within the shell of the old Aconbury building.

The Worcestershire Acute Trust was awarded £15 million to carry out the project, which will see extra capacity to deal with patients and free up space for improved services including cardiac, stroke care as well as adding extra diagnostic capacity and significantly enhanced paediatric services.

The project is expected to be finished during the summer, with the first patients being treated ahead of the winter peak.

Harriett commented:

“This has been a long and complicated build which was planned before the pandemic to help to relieve pressure on an already busy hospital.

“The Acute Trust management have always been hampered by the size of the hospital’s footprint and this is a smart way of using their space better.

“It was really useful to visit the project which Robin Walker and I have lobbied the Government for over many years and the chief executive expressed his thanks for our efforts.

“Having toured the new department with the people who will actually work in the new unit, there is a clear enthusiasm for the project.  I am encouraged that the new facility will enhance the emergency care capability at the hospital and also allow the old A&E department to be used for cardiology and stroke care.

“The new layout will hopefully mean enhanced access to emergency care for adults and children and an new dedicated entrance for patients arriving by ambulance to speed up tranfers.

“I look forward to seeing the building work complete as soon as possible and we all hope that this will herald a new chapter for the hospital.”

Photo: (l-r) Harriett Baldwin MP, Robin Walker MP, James Avery (Associate Chief Nursing Officer) Donna Jeynes (Matron, Emergency Department); Dr Jules Walton, (ED Consultant and Deputy Chief Medical Officer); Wendy Joberns-Harris, (Divisional Director of Operations for Urgent and Emergency Care); Matthew Hopkins, (Chief Executive); Donna Macklin, (Matron, Acute Medicine)