Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) in the UK has opened eight new patient bays in its emergency department as part of ongoing refurbishment work.

These facilities come after larger resuscitation and patient bays were opened in March this year.

The refurbishment is part of the Hospitals Transformation Programme (HTP) intended to provide sustainable care and lessen patient delays. The project is due to be completed in 2027 as part of whole redevelopment plans.

This project comprises a four-storey extension at the front of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site, due to open in 2028.

The new bays will supply the clinical space required to carry out subsequent refurbishment phases.

RSH emergency care consultant and clinical lead Subramanian Kumaran said: "Each milestone we reach as part of this refurbishment gives an improved space to provide a better experience for our patients who really need it. I would like to thank our patients and teams for their support during this much-needed transformation.

“Once complete, our new emergency department will provide the clinical space needed for our teams to continue to make improvements and provide a positive urgent and emergency care experience for every patient."

Future stages include creating a children’s emergency footprint with separate triage rooms and waiting areas. The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will also be remodelled as part of the transformation programme.

The new emergency department will include a covered ambulance canopy and a dedicated entrance.

HTP emergency care consultant and clinical lead Dr Ed Rysdale said: "By creating a hospital specialising in emergency care, we will have all emergency specialists in one place, rather [than] across two hospital sites.

“HTP will bring an improved working environment, creating a better environment for our colleagues and communities, supporting us to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time."

The emergency department will continue to operate throughout the phased construction programme.