New images released which show future Geriatric Assessment Unit

The first architect impressions of the new 24-bed Geriatric Assessment Unit for the elderly at Queen’s Medical Centre have been unveiled.

This is a specialised 24-bed ward for older people built as part of a £9.8 million investment to increase the number of beds at the QMC. These additional beds will help to improve flow out of the Emergency Department.

The GAU has been designed specifically with the older person in mind, some of whom may be frail, and also to be a dementia-friendly space.

It is ideally located as it is close to our Emergency Department, which will ensure a smooth transfer for patients who need to be admitted to the GAU unit.

The construction of the GAU is part of a wider piece of work which looks to improve the pathway for older patients. This work aims to improve experience and health outcomes by ensuring patients have the right care at the right time and in the right place.

Surinder Hunjan, Reconfiguration Programme Manager, said: “We are really pleased to have successfully bid for this funding, which will deliver a specialised, 24-bed assessment ward for the elderly near to our Accident and Emergency (A&E) and the Acute Medicine assessment unit at the QMC.

“The ward will provide many benefits to all our patients: it will help patient flow through A&E, improve the quality of care and experience for a vulnerable group of patients in a purpose-built, dementia-friendly space, and it will support greater collaboration between A&E, Acute Medicine and the Healthcare for Older People (HCOP) services, to ensure patient assessments are undertaken more quickly and efficiently.”

The funding for this project was awarded to NHS trusts to relieve pressures and cut waiting times and was part of a £250 million investment in 900 beds across the country.

Geriatric Assessment Unit architect impressions

Geriatric Assessment Unit architect impressions