Meet the UECC team

Chloe Mason is a Senior Sister who will be working in the UECC. Chloe has been preparing her 50-plus staff for the transfer process from the former emergency department into the impressive £47 million facility.

Her clinical team, made up of nurses and healthcare workers, are “looking forward and are tremendously excited” to work in the award-winning build.

The new UECC will see 10 new staff start in her unit, with several new registered nurses beginning their NHS careers in the new build.

“It’s a big change, it’s a huge building, so we are all getting used to the layout. It’s like a new house move, there’s lots to think of. As the opening gets closer, I am working hard to ensure patients are moved over safely, along with medication and equipment. All the staff are looking forward to treating patients and welcoming the community.”

Jaydene Louth is a Paediatric Healthcare Assistant and has been working hard to ensure the consumable store area of the new UECC is fully stocked for opening.

Jaydene said she is "very excited" to start working in the modern building.

"It's giving me Holby City vibes, it's wonderful! It's so crisp and clean, everything is so fresh... it really hits you. It's going to be wonderful for the community and the emergency team.

"We've got a great team spirit here and the new build is enhancing that element as we get everything ready together.

"I'm currently on a phased return as I have had a couple of heart procedures, but it didn't stop me from coming back to stock up the new UECC, assisting the housekeeping team. I've been given one of the best jobs organising the stores and making sure we have all the essentials, including tea and biscuits of course!"

Many patients at our new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre will require a visit to the new Imaging Department.

The team, who have been busy with their additional digital radiography training, are looking forward to providing diagnostics in the new X-ray area.

The new area will strengthen the resilience of our emergency service out-of-hours and advances in technology will improve patient flow.

Radiographer Vibhuty Arya (second left) said, "I'm looking forward to helping patients here in the new UECC. I'm a tech enthusiast, and the new rooms and equipment are great.

"The new art vistas in the spacious rooms, such as the woodland scene in this room, are lovely to look at and will help patients relax - having an X-ray can be quite nerve-wracking for some."

In his 22 years at the Trust, Gary Procter, Domestic Assistant, says the new UECC build is 'the most impressive' he has seen to date.

Gary has been preparing the UECC for opening day by helping with the clean-up effort and getting clinical areas ready for staff and patients.

"All the domestic team have worked very hard behind the scenes to get the building ready. The building is vast, it's going to take some looking after, but we have all pulled together to help.

"We are, after all, here in Yorkshire, the home of being kindhearted and where we look after each other."

Dr Ndekwu is our Trust’s Medical Lead for Urgent Care.mHe is counting down to the opening and looking forward to working in our new UECC.

Since 2009, Dr Ndekwu has worked with the Trust in various roles and is currently responsible for ensuring all the GPs working within the urgent treatment centres across the Trust sites look after all our patients effectively.

As a clinical supervisor, he also manages and trains junior doctors and coordinates with our healthcare partner, Nimbuscare.

“My career started abroad in Nigeria, when I became a doctor just over 22 years ago, working across surgical and medical specialties, before settling into general practice in 2011 here in North Yorkshire.”

He added: “The new UECC is such a nice environment for patients, for me the element that strikes me the most is that we will all be in one place. It’s going to make the flow of the hospital work so much better, everyone will all be working on the same floor. There’s a lot of excitement being generated about the potential and our patients are going to love it and I’m looking forward to it.”

Rachel Wilson, a Staff Nurse, is looking forward to her patients seeing the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre on its opening.

“I can’t wait to hear what the patients have to say about the new facility. Hearing patient feedback is one of my favourite elements of the job!

“It will be great to show off our new building. A lot of people have worked very hard on the project for such a long time. Feedback always praises our department’s services and how we can improve, so I can’t wait to see what they have to say about this lovely building. It’s fantastic news for Scarborough.”

Rachel and her colleagues regularly receive good feedback from PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) about their interaction with patients.

“Personally, I think Short Stay is the best unit in the hospital to work in. I love interacting with patients and we have a great team. It’s very interesting and we see a variety of people with a whole range of medical problems.”

Rachel’s career is a Trust success story. She worked her way up from healthcare assistant to clinical support worker. She then secured an apprenticeship to work as a nursing associate while also attending university once a week.

“It’s wonderful – the building is new and fresh. I am looking forward to new opportunities and new challenges.”

Zoe is eagerly anticipating the transition to the £47 million flagship project. Over 200 staff members, ranging from registered nurses to healthcare assistants, are under Zoe's leadership and are all eagerly counting down to the move.

Having qualified as a nurse in 2004, Zoe refers to her latest role in the Trust as “a gift”, as she will be responsible for overseeing all nursing staff on the ground floor of the new two-storey hospital.

"I truly value the team here; they’re like an extended family to me," Zoe explained.

"When they have something to celebrate, I share in their joy, and when they face challenges, I feel it too. When I’m on an early shift I always attend ED to check in with the night team.  If they need support or guidance, I’m there for them."

Zoe, who has worked in various wards before landing her role as Matron during the pandemic, also noted the strong camaraderie within the department.

"What’s so special about working here is the genuine teamwork between nurses and doctors. It’s the team dynamic that keeps me motivated."

Zoe and her team have meticulously planned the move to the new UECC to ensure that the right skill set is in place to care for patients from day one.

"We’re all incredibly excited," she said. "The feedback I’m receiving is overwhelmingly positive; staff feel appreciated and invested in the new building. The new facilities, including an expanded changing room, break room, and even an outdoor space, have been particularly well-received."