New surgical assessment unit opens at Peterborough City Hospital

The purpose-built unit will help minimise delays and reduce hospital admissions through a streamlined assessment process and increased capacity for same day emergency care (SDEC). Patients presenting at the Emergency Department will be transferred to SAU where they will be assessed, treated and observed in one area, before either being discharged or admitted to a ward.

Chief Operating Officer, Phil Walmsley, said: “We introduced a temporary Surgical Assessment Unit 12 months ago, but quickly realised that we needed a bigger purpose-built space for the service.

“The new unit has space to assess and treat up to 40 patients a day, which will help us free up capacity elsewhere in the hospital. It will also improve patient experience, by providing a greater range of same day emergency care services and ensuring only those requiring inpatient care are admitted to a ward.

“I want to thank all the staff involved getting SAU up and running. It wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and collaborative efforts of the operational, clinical and estates teams.”

The unit was officially opened with a socially-distanced ribbon cutting ceremony by Chief Nurse, Jo Bennis and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kanchan Rege yesterday.