A mobile unit to cope with the influx of A&E patients is being launched at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
The temporary modular building is being installed near the ambulance parking area at Glasgow’s £842million superhospital this weekend and is planned to be fully operational in December.
The new facility will give the hospital additional capacity to see and treat up to 50 patients for minor injuries, allowing the Emergency Department to focus on dealing with serious illnesses and casualties.
It comes as Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride unveiled plans to erect a temporary building to carry out surgical procedures. Two units – complete with ramps – have been erected in its car park.
Anne Harkness, Director, South Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We’re absolutely committed to making changes to our services to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible. This temporary MIU facility is just one of the ways we’re helping reduce pressure on our Emergency Department.
“Winter is the busiest time of the year for our services, and it’s really important we have the facilities in place to help manage the flow of patients with minor injuries.
“As part of this initiative, all of the appropriate planning has taken place to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing services at the hospital throughout the installation and operation of the MIU.”
During the installation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the main Emergency Department will remain fully accessible, although some onsite temporary road closures will be in place, with appropriate traffic management teams deployed to provide advice and guidance to visitors.
Ongoing liaison with Scottish Ambulance Service throughout the planning process will ensure no disruption to services.
If the new unit proves successful, the health board will explore options to make to make a separate MIU a more permanent feature of the hospital campus.
Anne Harkness, Director, South Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We’re absolutely committed to making changes to our services to ensure patients are seen as quickly as possible. This temporary MIU facility is just one of the ways we’re helping reduce pressure on our Emergency Department.
“Winter is the busiest time of the year for our services, and it’s really important we have the facilities in place to help manage the flow of patients with minor injuries.
“As part of this initiative, all of the appropriate planning has taken place to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing services at the hospital throughout the installation and operation of the MIU.”
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