New emergency department takes in first patients

There are new treatment cubicles which give better privacy for patients

A new hospital emergency department has taken in its first patients.

Although officially opened in July, the first patients moved into the £33.5m department at Swindon's Great Western Hospital at 08:00 BST on Wednesday after some "remedial works" were undertaken.

With funding from the government and the hospital trust it is the biggest ever investment in the hospital.

Great Western Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust said the new facilities will help reduce waiting times and improve patient experience.

All ambulances are now handing over patients to the new department and walk-in patients being triaged to the Emergency Department via the Urgent Treatment Centre.

The department now has an increase in "majors cubicles" from 12 to 16, which are more private with glass doors instead of curtains.

There are also more resuscitation cubicles and one new bay dedicated to children.

There is also a secluded room for patients in mental health crisis, a more comfortable observation area and two supportive relatives’ rooms set away from the main department.

Local people are being encouraged to continue to use healthcare services "wisely", calling NHS 111 in the first instance, visiting a GP or pharmacist and only coming to hospital for serious or life-threatening conditions, the hospital trust said.