A ‘MAJOR’ expansion of the same-day emergency care service at Barnsley Hospital - which will help patients arriving with urgent medical needs be treated faster - is well underway.
Hospital bosses say that the expanded service will ensure that patients will spend much less time waiting in A and E.
It will help thousands of people receive rapid assessment, treatment and - where safe - return home on the same day.
The changes are designed not only to improve patient experience, but also to relieve pressure on emergency departments and inpatient wards.
At the heart of the expansion is aame-day emergency care, known as SDEC - a service that allows patients to be seen quickly by specialist teams without the need for hospital admission.
Opening hours will be significantly increased to ensure more consistent access throughout the week.
Frailty SDEC services, which care for older and more vulnerable patients, will run from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, while Medical SDEC will remain open until 10pm every day.
And, from July, the frailty services will move into the unit which has been designed specifically for older patients.
Bosses say that the modern environment will support compassionate, dignified and efficient care - helping people stay independent and recover closer to home.
The expansion also brings new career opportunities, with the trust recruiting frailty consultants and advanced clinical practitioners to support the growing service.
Clinicians will work at the ‘front door’ of the hospital alongside multidisciplinary teams and community partners, playing a key role in preventing avoidable admissions.
Consultant physician in acute medicine Israr Ahmad said the changes reflect rising demand and a commitment to future‑proofing services
He added: “To help meet increasing demand, medical SDEC will be expanding.
“We plan to use more space and recruit more staff so the service can continue to grow and keep up with the rising number of patients being referred directly from the emergency department.”
Barnsley has been named as one of 40 locations for new and expanded urgent care sites across the country, thanks to government funding.
The scheme has been backed by £215.5m in funding.
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis said: “This is great news for Barnsley and a welcome investment in our local NHS.
“The new same-day emergency care service at Barnsley Hospital will help ensure patients are treated faster and in the right setting, easing pressure on A and E and improving care.
“It builds on the progress we’ve already made locally, including the Community Diagnostic Centre in the Glass Works and the outpatient hub at the Alhambra.
“Together, these improvements are making a real difference for patients across our town.”
