Minor injuries unit gets major facelift (From Warrington Guardian)

Minor injuries unit gets major facelift

HALTON Hospital's minor injuries unit has been transformed from an old style ward to a bright and modern new facility.

Approximately £500,000 has been spent on the hospital's 'front door' since April.

Sister Mary Thompson said: "I think it's bright, clean and very comfortable for the patients.

"We've got a lot of new equipment, new trolleys, diagnostic equipment and X-ray viewers.

"It's the front door to the hospital so it gives people a better first impression."

The unit also has better wheelchair access, a reception desk with varied height and a disabled toilet.

The unit now has a dedicated paediatrics area for children, covered in decorations and drawings of children's characters.

Having their own unit keeps children away from distressing sights in the adult area.

And negotiations are ongoing to get the unit its own X-ray machine.

Directorate manager for A&E Julie Newton said the new unit would help more patients being seen quicker.

This would be achieved by more use of specially trained nurses who can assess, treat and discharge patients.

She said the unit was not a second class service to A&E but a place where highly trained staff could take pressure off Warrington Hospital A&E with a good team of dedicated staff.

The unit treats 60 to 70 people a day for injuries like minor burns and minor fractures and it had been based in an adapted ward.

Nurses on training duty are on duty from 4.30pm to 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and patients with more serious problems are asked to avoid these times.