Work starts on Leighton Hospital’s new £15m Emergency Department

Work has started on a multi-million pound project to expand Leighton Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, received government funding last year to reconfigure and expand emergency care services. 

The Trust will use the money towards creating a new £15m two-storey building next to the site’s current A&E, which will help the hospital to see and treat more patients. 

Dr David Matthews, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, said: "This is a very important and exciting development for our patients and staff at a time when the NHS has been tested to the maximum by a combination of continually increasing patient attendances, the coronavirus pandemic and the annual winter pressures which now seem to start earlier and last longer.   

“The new department has been carefully designed to cater for a greater number of patients in a modern and purpose-built environment that allows clear separation of children and adults, an isolation facility for patients with coronavirus, a larger resuscitation room for the most sick and injured patients, and appropriate areas for friends, relatives and those with illnesses relating to their mental health. This will offer patients a better experience at a time which is often difficult and stressful for them." 

The new building, which will cover more than 4,000 square metres over the two floors, will include a dedicated paediatric suite, mental health assessment rooms and a bereavement suite as well as the additional treatment rooms. There will also be offices and staff facilities on the first floor. 

James Sumner, Chief Executive of Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “The new Emergency Department is fantastic news for the Trust and for the local community as it will give us a bigger, better and safer environment for patients and staff. 

“A&E attendances have increased across the country over recent years, including at Leighton Hospital, and so this is also an opportunity to meet the growing needs of our local population.” 

The Trust has submitted a planning application for the modular build and has now started preparation works on the A&E car park, which is where the building will be located, so that the new facility could be open in time to support the hospital during next winter’s pressures. 

As part of the preparatory works, the A&E car park at Leighton Hospital will close from 8pm on Friday 12 February.  

The A&E entrance off Smithy Lane will also only be available to emergency vehicles or to access a new drop off and pick up point outside the Emergency Department. 

Patients and visitors attending A&E are being asked to use the main entrance or maternity car park, where an additional 77 spaces have been created to support any increase in demand. 

Staff at the hospital are also set to benefit from an extended employee and overflow carpark, which includes more than 300 new spaces. 

James Sumner added: “We would like to thank our staff and local community for their support with this exciting development, and to apologise for any inconvenience the works may cause. 

“The Emergency Department build has been designed to keep disruption to a minimum and we are also introducing a new car park control team from Monday 15 February to support and direct our patients and staff.”