New units to offer ‘better care’ for patients

The new clinical decision unit and a refurbished resuscitation unit at Barnsley Hospital will help staff deal with growing numbers of increasingly sick patients.

The 10-bed decision unit sits alongside the hospital’s casualty unit and provides a location for patients to be cared for and observed before they are admitted to hospital or it is decided they are well enough to be discharged.

Officials say it will help ease pressure on the department, help prevent unnecessary admissions and has been designed to provide a calming environment for patients to aid in their recovery.

The resuscitation unit, where the most seriously ill patients are treated, has been expanded from three beds to five to deal with growing demand.

Sir David, who is stepping down in the spring, saw the hospital’s acute medical unit and met managers and clinicians during his visit.

He said: “The opening of these units is really good news for the people of Barnsley and the surrounding areas.

“It should mean better care for patients and it will help reduce the number of avoidable emergency admissions.

“Around the country the rise in avoidable admissions has become a key issue for the NHS in recent times.

“It’s important and impressive that the trust is taking these steps to help tackle it.”

Hospital trust chief executive Diane Wake said staff were “very proud” of the units.

“As with all emergency departments across the country, we face considerable challenges with growing numbers of patients with increasingly complex needs,” she said.

“This project shows our commitment to ensuring that patients continue to receive the highest quality and safest emergency care here in Barnsley.”