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08 December 2011 02:02
Healthcare
New surgical day unit at Lincoln County Hospital
Lincolnshire patients will benefit from a new surgical day unit at Lincoln County Hospital.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is currently carrying out a Transformation Programme that looks at ways services could be improved and managed in a more efficient way. As part of this programme a new surgical day unit is set to open at Lincoln County Hospital which will help reduce waiting times for day case patients.
Within the new unit there will be 24 trolley spaces that will be divided into four-bedded single sex areas and single rooms to make sure that patients have as much privacy as possible during their short stay at the hospital.
Heather Carter, Associate Director of Transformation, said: “Currently surgical day case patients are treated in theatres across the hospital depending on theatre availability and the nature of their operation. Lincoln County Hospital currently sees about 350 day case patients each month – this figure could be doubled when we have the dedicated day surgery unit in place.
“The day unit will provide two sessions a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, Mondays to Fridays with some extended lists into the early evening. Before patients arrive for their surgery they will have a pre- operative assessment of their needs. At this appointment we will discuss the patients expectations and concerns, pre-operative preparation such as fasting, address any transport issues to get the patient to and from the hospital in a safe way as well as discussing any medication and care the patient will need before and after their treatment.”
Around £500,000 will be spent on the new unit and the further upgrade of maternity services in the same building. This includes developing a second theatre on the central delivery suite to support the rising birth rate and ensure that emergency caesarean sections can take place immediately. Externally there will be improved signs, a pick-up and drop-off point outside the unit and improved walkways for pedestrians and wheelchairs.
The surgical unit will be based on level one of the maternity unit at the hospital and is planned to open in spring 2012.
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