Liverpool's Aintree University Hospital is planning to invest around £20m in new, state-of-the-art facilities for patients requiring urgent hospital care.
The Accident and Emergency, Critical Care, Cardiology and Fracture Clinic departments will all be transformed as part of a project that will vastly improve the facilities available for patients, visitors and staff.
Under the proposals, the A&E department will be extended to allow more room for patients receiving treatment and new ‘see and treat’ rooms will be built to help the flow of patients through the department.
The Critical Care Department will also be expanded to allow an additional 24 beds for the hospital’s sickest patients.
The Fracture Clinic will move into a new purpose-built department to improve access for patients requiring treatment and Cardiology will also be centralised to ensure greater access between the department and coronary care.
Roof lights on the ceilings will allow more natural light in to the building, creating a brighter environment for patients, staff and visitors.
There will also be significant changes to the roads directly outside the hospital to improve A&E access for ambulances and pedestrians, with new crossings installed to improve traffic flow.
The project will be entirely self-funded by the Trust and forms part of a long term hospital-wide development that has already seen a new Elective Care Centre, Physiotherapy Department, Diabetes Centre, Therapies Centre and refurbished Radiology Department.
Catherine Beardshaw, Chief Executive, said: “We are about to embark on a very exciting project that will ensure we can provide the best quality care to patients in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities. The result will be a much more patient-friendly environment.
“The A&E department, Fracture Clinic, Critical Care and Cardiology are some of our busiest areas. This project will help us meet demands for emergency care while providing that care in a fit for purpose, spacious environment.”
“Studies have also shown that at times of stress, the environment can make a big difference to how we react. The redesign of these areas of the hospital will help support a relaxed atmosphere for our patients, staff and visitors.”
Dr John Hollingsworth, Consultant in A&E department said: “Staff working in the hospital have been closely involved in the planning of the new buildings to make sure the physical surroundings allow us to provide care and treatment in the best way.
"More light into the waiting areas and treatment rooms will help keep patients calm in what are often distressing situations.
"Using space more wisely and putting the departments that work together physically closer to each other will mean less disruption for patients and their treatment will be quicker.
Shirley Brady, Clinical Manager for the Critical Care Department said: “We deal with the sickest patients in the hospital.
"To have additional beds in a better environment will help give patients the best chance of recovery both physically and psychologically.
"The quicker the patients recovery in critical care, the better their chances are of an overall recovery .
"The environment in which patients are treated and cared for makes a big difference to recovery so all the staff in the Department are looking forward to the redesign getting underway and the new facilities.”
The building project will involve several months of disruption and access roads to the hospital may face diversions. Information about these will be posted around the hospital and will appear on the website for visitors and patients travelling to Aintree University Hospital for treatment.
Catherine Beardshaw added: “We will of course work to minimise disruption, but some degree will be inevitable.
"Our Accident and Emergency Department and the other areas will remain open throughout this construction project and we are sure that people will realise that the improvements will be well worth it.”
Planning permission is currently being sought for the project, with an application being submitted to Liverpool City Council this month.
If approved it will take just over two years to complete. Aintree marks its fifth year as a Foundation Trust this year, and, by the end of the financial year it will have invested a total of £100 million in its site since it was authorised in 2006, creating state-of-the-art facilities with high standards of patient comfort and dignity.
The plans for the development are currently well advanced, with a planning application submitted to Liverpool City Council.
Taylor Young has carried out the architectural design work on the scheme and will be working with BAM Construction which has been appointed to deliver the project on site.
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