Scarborough Hospital in the UK has inaugurated a new £47m ($62.38m) Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC), bringing several services under single roof.
The move represents the largest capital investment by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The UECC is a facility designed to serve the hospital's most critically ill patients. It focuses on creating a modern, patient-centred environment.
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Simon Morritt said: “I firmly believe this new facility represents genuine healthcare innovation for the people of Scarborough and the surrounding area.
“It will transform the experience of patients and staff, and provide a modern, fit-for-purpose environment for delivering the very best care.”
The two-storey building, which took three years to construct, spans approximately 3,120m2 per level, offering more space than the previous emergency facilities.
The ground floor is dedicated to delivering urgent and emergency care, while the first floor houses a 26-bed critical and enhanced care unit.
This consolidation of services is expected to improve clinical outcomes, especially for older and frail patients, by reducing wait times.
By uniting emergency, same-day emergency, and acute medical services, along with essential diagnostics like CT scanning, the centre aims to facilitate faster, more coordinated care.
The multidisciplinary team approach is set to enhance the treatment experience for patients with a range of conditions, from minor injuries to complex, multiple disorders.
In addition to the UECC, Scarborough Hospital has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades, including modernised electrical systems, ventilation, and drainage.
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Emergency Medicine and Deputy Medical Director consultant Dr Ed Smith said: “This is the single most significant step change in patient and staff experience for the delivery of urgent and emergency care in Scarborough and the surrounding areas in our working lifetimes, and its importance cannot be overstated.
“This new centre will completely transform how we manage patients. Clinicians will be able to make quicker decisions, reduce waiting times, and keep people out of hospital when it’s safe to do so - while ensuring those who do need admission are cared for promptly and efficiently.”
