£8m for A&E Department

SOUTHEND Hospital is set to expand and modernise after an £8 million cash boost for the emergency department was announced.

Mid and South Essex Trust confirmed the funding has now been received and works will start immediately.

It is planned that the works, which will see the emergency department redesigned to meet the needs of residents now and in the future, should be completed by March 2024.

Hannah Coffey, acting chief executive, said: “Work is starting immediately to design the expanded unit so we can have some key areas open in time for next winter.

“The scheme will ensure there is enough space in the majors treatment areas, waiting room and resuscitation areas; this will improve the flow of patients through the hospital to reduce delays and allow ambulances to handover as quickly as possible.

“We look forward to keeping you updated on the progress as we go through the project.”

Ms Coffey confirmed that an enormous amount of work had already taken place to reduce waiting times: “An ambulance handover unit has been opened at the new hospital, seven additional cubicles created in the majors unit and new ways of working introduced which have significantly improved ambu- lance handover times and waits for initial assessment.”

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, said she was ‘delighted’ at the news, having campaigned for the past eight months for funding to improve the hospital’s emergency depart- ment.

She said: “I’m truly delighted to announce the £8m from the Department of Health and Social Care is arriving for the modernisation and expansion of Southend Hospital A&E.

“I have been clear since the start – despite the amazing efforts of hardworking staff at Southend University Hospital and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, we needed a revamped A&E capable of handling the ageing and increasing population of Southend.”