We’ve started work on a new Surgical Assessment Unit, which will help surgical patients get the treatment they need more quickly and reduce the number of patients in A&E this winter.

The unit will have nine trolley spaces and two chairs for patients who are ‘fit to sit’. It also has a treatment room, reception, and office space. It will be based on the second floor at Queen’s Hospital and replaces a former discharge lounge.

Vikki Butler, our Director of Clinical Services Reconfiguration, said: “This will help decongest A&E as patients who have a surgical issue will go straight to the unit for assessment and treatment, which will reduce waits for all patients.”

Work started on Monday 2 October with contractors removing walls to start to create the open-plan layout (pictured below). The unit is due to be open by the end of the year.

It has been funded thanks to a £3m from the government’s transformation fund, following our successful bid.