Manchester Royal Infirmary's (MRI) A&E is undergoing changes as a huge transformation of the emergency care facilities continues at the hospital. The MRI has changed its entrances temporarily in order to start the next stage of £40 million renovations - this is everything patients need to know if they are heading to the emergency department as work gets underway.
The pedestrian entrances for the emergency department (A&E) and urgent treatment centre have been temporarily moved to the other side of the hospital building as of May 17. Emergency department and urgent treatment centre patients, whether arriving by foot, car or taxi, will now need to use the new entrance.
The new entrance is situated in a specially built modular building outside the MRI Outpatients entrance, a short walk from the previous entrance. Here they will be assessed by clinicians, before being seen at the appropriate department if required.
Patients will still be able to access all emergency care services as usual throughout, 24 hours a day. Ambulances will still be received at the original entrance as normal.
The changes will continue in order to keep services running as building work progresses. Alan Grayson, Clinical Director at MRI Emergency Department said “The redevelopment of our emergency department is a huge, important long-term project that will modernise our facilities to best support the needs of our patients and help our staff provide the very best care.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. We’re changing how we see patients in ways which will make the process ultimately safer, more efficient, and more convenient for all.”
“All our services will be running as normal, and we appreciate the support and cooperation of patients during this time”
The temporary emergency department comes as part of the MRI’s ‘Renovation of Emergency Department’ - entitled Project RED - aiming to enhance services across the MRI, which is an adult major trauma centre for Greater Manchester.
Improvements will include a 'more streamlined layout and ultimately, increased capacity, including 10 (up from six) resuscitation bays and 27 (up from 16) ‘majors’ cubicles', according to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital.
Plans also include the creation of six new operating theatres, which will support the hospital’s role as one of the regional centres for specialist surgery for Manchester. In total, construction is expected to take just over three years to complete.
Leonard Ebah, Acting Medical Director at MRI, said: “These plans for MRI Emergency Department have been thoughtfully considered to best work in co-ordination with our other hospitals across the trust, and incorporate the capabilities of our vast variety of specialisms. This major transformation project will mean patients presenting at MRI emergency department can be seen by the right people and receive the right treatment quicker in a much improved patient environment.
“Looking wider, this upgrade will support a system-wide approach that tries to make sure our patients are receiving care from the right place and via the right channels. This includes guiding our non-emergency patients to NHS 111 in first instance, a service which can direct patients to the appropriate local service, arrange medical appointments, or give self-care advice.”
Anyone who has an urgent medical need that isn’t an emergency and isn’t sure what to do should contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for free. The service is available around the clock, seven days a week.
NHS 111 can provide self-care advice, signpost to an appropriate local service, or book people in to be seen at their local pharmacy, GP practice or Emergency Department.
To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
