£35m hospital review begins with new wards

FINAL preparations are under way for the centralisation of acute medicine services for adults at St James’s Hospital, Leeds.

The changes, which start in February, are part of a much wider review of hospital services across the city over the next year.

The top level of Chancellor’s Wing at the hospital will become an acute medical floor, looking after patients with a range of conditions who have been admitted for urgent investigations or observation. This will consist of the main acute medical unit (AMU), a separate AMU for elderly patients, a short-stay ward and a medical assessment area.

Supporting the service will be new general medicine wards, which are opening in the Gledhow Wing at St James’s.

Previously, these facilities were split between St James’s and Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), so the centralisation will provide the opportunity to cut out duplication, utilise staff more efficiently and improve the quality and safety of services for patients.

Dr Nicola Cooper, clinical lead for acute medicine at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “These changes will bring real improvements in patient care. The new acute medical floor is a big step forward, being located just two floors up from the emergency department, with a permanent team of senior doctors specialising in the acute care of medical and elderly patients.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity to redesign our service around the needs of patients, and put in place systems, processes and staffing to deliver that aim. Priorities have included ensuring the new service will be easier for GPs to refer patients into, as well as reducing unnecessary waits in A&E.”

The moves will take place in a phased way in the second week of February.

They are part of much wider changes to hospital services, including gastroenterology centralising at LGI in February and a new diabetes centre for Leeds opening at St James’s in May.

Elderly medicine will be centralised at St James’s in October, while children’s services are also preparing to move to the LGI in April and May.

Around 35m is being invested in total to bring about the full range of changes between now and 2011.