YORK Hospital’s £18 million expanded and redesigned emergency department was officially opened earlier today (7 July 2023).

The two-storey expansion, which has taken just 20 months to complete, includes a vital new eight-bedded resuscitation area and twelve new assessment and treatment cubicles.  There is also a newly remodelled waiting area which contains a separate children’s area and supporting facilities such as a nappy changing area. 

Upstairs in the extension there is a spacious area for same-day emergency care where patients will be treated in the department and then discharged without the need to be admitted as an inpatient.

Dr Steve Crane, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Lead, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said, “We’re really looking forward to being able to use these fantastic new facilities, for the benefit of patients using our emergency and urgent care services.

“The environment for care is much better and we are hoping to reduce the time patients must wait - as well as improving the quality and timeliness of urgent treatment.  It will also help our partners in the ambulance service by reducing the time taken for them to transfer patients to us and get back on the road.

Steve added, “Patients should notice being cared for more quickly, more expertly and in better facilities.”

The department was officially opened by Margaret Locker, Senior Sister from the department.  Margaret has served over 52 years with the NHS, all of which have been with this Trust.  Margaret started her nursing career in 1971 and treated the first patient in the current emergency department when it first opened in 2003.

Margaret, said, “During my time working in this department, I have been very fortunate to see the emergency department through a lot of its highs and lows.  I have been privileged to welcome in the next generation of nurses and sadly say goodbye to others.  I have dedicated many years to nursing and it’s truly amazing how far we have come through these years.

“Despite all the challenges, our incredible team of staff always pull together and support each other to enable us to overcome the obstacles we encounter.

"I can say that the department is much more than a physical space.  It is a place of resilience where we witness the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.  It is a place where lives are transformed, but most importantly, it is a place of compassion, care, and brilliance.”

Simon Morritt, Chief Executive, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This expansion is long overdue, so it’s with great satisfaction and pride that we are finally able to officially mark the occasion in the week the NHS celebrates its 75^th birthday.

“The expansion has been a big project and, as you would expect with a hospital, it’s involved some complex planning.  The department sees around 300 patients a day, so I’m certain that these improvements will make an enormous difference to both patients and staff alike.”

The project was undertaken by Kier Construction and marks 20 years of partnership working with the Trust.  Since 2004 Kier has completed numerous projects for the Trust including theatre reconfigurations, the bereavement suite, the multi-storey car park, the critical care unit and more recently our flagship endoscopy unit. 

Dan Doherty, Regional Director at Kier Construction North and Scotland said: “This project has been a tremendous success that has been achieved through early engagement and creating a truly collaborative working relationship with the Trust, consultants, and our supply chain.  We are delighted to have been able to deliver this wonderful facility which will serve the local community for years to come.”

07 July 2023

The doors to the new department will open to patients from 9am on Monday 10 July 2023.  Until then, patients attending ED should continue to access the department via the South Entrance temporary site