Emergency Unit at University Hospital of Wales recognised for significant improvements

The Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales remains under significant pressure, much like Emergency Departments across Wales. However, over the last two years, colleagues at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have worked tirelessly to put improvements in place to transform the environment for both patients attending and colleagues working within the Emergency Unit.

Following a recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales visit, the Emergency Unit has been used as a spotlight case study to share good practice to other NHS organisations and the wider health service to support system improvements.

Within the case study, the Inspectorate acknowledges that despite the pressure felt by the Emergency Unit, ‘the unit felt calm, and colleagues had taken appropriate action to manage the situation’. Colleagues were also acknowledged for their ongoing commitment to provide high standards of care to patients when in the department.

An initiative implemented within the Emergency Unit to reduce waiting times was also highlighted for its benefit on increasing turnaround time and decrease waiting times and subsequently decrease service pressure.

Rapid Assessment and Treatment Zone enables appropriate patients to receive rapid assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment by an Emergency Unit doctor, after which patients either discharged or moved to another area of the department.

Over the last two years, colleagues working within the Emergency and Acute Medicine Directorate have worked tirelessly to transform the environment and the estates efforts were commended by the Inspectorate. The footprint of the department has had a big impact on the experience of patients, with the layout now more streamlined to improve flow through the unit and support infection prevention and control measures.

Katja Empson, Interim Clinical Board Director, commented: “We are incredibly proud of the work that has been undertaken in the Emergency Unit and appreciate the opportunity to highlight the efforts that have been made to improve the environment for both patients and colleagues.

“Colleagues have worked hard to implement these changes whilst continuing to deliver safe and effective care in challenging circumstances. While we appreciate that there are still improvements to be made, we would like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues for their ongoing hard work, commitment and determination to deliver safe and effective patient care.”

To read the case study, please follow this link.