A&E's �1.5m overhaul to cope with rise in patients

Leicester's accident and emergency department is being expanded to cope with an ever-increasing number of patients.

Leicester Royal Infirmary's casualty department is being given an overhaul which will include spending �1.5 million on a refit so it can accommodate more patients.

A further �915,000 will be spent to recruit more consultants and specialist nurses to deal with emergency cases, and improve the children's casualty department.

Abi Tierney, director of strategy at Leicester's hospitals, said: "We are looking at different ways we can create more space in the department to improve patient care and patient safety.

"It is not designed for the numbers we are seeing."

Having more senior doctors on hand, she added, would mean patients would be dealt with more quickly.

They would be able to make a decision straight away instead of waiting for someone more senior to approve it.

Every day, 450 patients turn up at the department for treatment. Despite moves to try to encourage people to go to their GP or walk-in centres, doctors in A&E are seeing more patients than ever before.

The trust board is due to debate the plans – part of its �694.9 million business plan for the new financial year – today.

It is also hoping to employ more midwives and refurbish operating theatres.

Developments outlined in its plan include a new four-bed cancer clinical trial unit at the infirmary. Leicestershire charity Hope Against Cancer has promised to spend �150,000 to �200,000 equipping the unit, which should open next February.

Wendi Stevens, the charity's co-ordinator, said: "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the hospital to create this unit.

"We know that where clinical trials are taking place patients do better and they will be getting the latest treatment opportunities.

"It will also attract doctors and researchers to the city."

Trust managers also plan to persuade more patients from further afield to come to the city for surgery.

Ms Tierney said: "We have a clinic in the USA which has been interested in our Tavi programme, which is keyhole surgery to replace an aortic valve."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/1396c9a4/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CE0Es0E1630E10E5m0Eoverhaul0Ecope0Erise0Epatients0Carticle0E33678710Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

US economic growth and recession Madeleine McCann Cultural trips Economic growth (GDP) Redrow US constitution and civil liberties