Guy’s and St Thomas’s ED department nears completion

A scheme to rebuild the emergency department at St Thomas’ Hospital has entered its final phase with the opening of a new major treatment area.

Having begun in March 2014, the project has transformed patient care by creating a dedicated emergency floor that brings together emergency services in a single area of the hospital, with 25 treatment cubicles, a more efficient, open layout and improved facilities for staff and relatives.

The emergency department at St Thomas’ sees 140,000 patients coming through its doors each year, including 27,000 children. The project has already delivered a new 62-bed admission ward with ensuite facilities, as well as an Urgent Care Centre where patients with less serious conditions can be treated by GPs and emergency nurse practitioners.

Dr Katherine Henderson, clinical lead at the trust, said: “Our new department will improve the quality of care as well as the overall experience of patients requiring emergency treatment. I am incredibly proud of the fact that such a huge redevelopment has been carried out while existing emergency services have remained open 24 hours a day and can’t thank our staff enough for their patience and dedication.”

The final stage of the project, built by Logan Construction, will be completed in early May.