Expansion plans unveiled at Crawley Hospital

Plans to expand the Urgent Care Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital have been unveiled.
Plans for Crawley Urgent Treatment centre have been revealed SUS-151214-111505001Plans for Crawley Urgent Treatment centre have been revealed SUS-151214-111505001
Plans for Crawley Urgent Treatment centre have been revealed SUS-151214-111505001

The hospital has hosted two open day sessions on Friday, December 11, where visitors were given a tour of the hospital followed by a presentation on the new plans – which include a new 26-bed ward.

Sussex Community NHS Trust, which provides the majority of services at the centre, which is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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The centre treats most injuries or illnesses that are not life threatening, including sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries.

Crawley MP, Henry Smith said: “The plans are very imaginative. I like the attention to detail, for example the use of light to improve patient experience. It’s really good news for Crawley and great to see that the NHS is being open with the plans and is keen to get people’s say, that’s positive.”

Dr Amit Bhargava, Clinical Chief Officer of Crawley Clinical Comissioning Group (CCG), which buys and plans health services, said: “People in Crawley have been very clear with us that they want as many health and wellbeing services provided locally that are safe, easy to access and provide high patient satisfaction – our commissioning plans and intentions have always reflected this ambition.

“A planned increase in urgent care beds and service expansion of the Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital, subject to approval, will help save hundreds of patients each year from travelling to hospitals much further afield.”

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The plans include a new treatment area for children, a larger reception area and a new ward with 26 beds for people who need hospital care but are not so unwell they need treatment at a bigger, acute hospital such as East Surrey Hospital. The ward includes an art therapy unit, gymnasium and a kitchen, to prepare patients for the transition back to their home.

Silvia Morant of Coachmans Medical Practice (Crawley) Patient Participation Group, said she liked all the proposals, adding enlarging the waiting area is important.

“It’s still at the very early stages but obviously it’s a huge improvement, the fact a lot of the facilities will be dual-purpose makes the best use of space,” she said.

Patients attending the UTC who need mental health support are seen by clinicians from Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.

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Acting service manager for acute care in North West Sussex, Clare Stoneman, said: “The planned improvements to the Urgent Treatment Centre will allow us to provide a comfortable, dedicated waiting area for people who need our support during a mental health crisis.

“By providing this increased level of privacy and a more welcoming environment our team at the centre will be able to offer the care that people need in a place that is local and convenient for them.

“We’re really pleased that so many people attended the open day and gave their feedback on the proposals.”

Integrated Care 24 Ltd provides the GP led out of hours services for the area and have one of their bases at Crawley Hospital. Kevin Evans, Head of Operations for the area, said: “We are extremely excited to be part of Transforming Urgent Care Services at Crawley Hospital. We feel that it will be hugely beneficial for our patients to have co-located and integrated services and that close working relationships will be further enhanced in the proposed new working environment.”

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