The new £15m Accident and Emergency department at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary has 'world-class facilities' and is almost double the size of the old one.
Members of the public, hospital staff, politicians and journalists have been looking around the brand-new facility in Lindley this week ahead of it opening to the public shortly, although the exact date has yet to be fixed. The new facility has been built following a huge and successful public campaign that was launched when health chiefs announced plans to downgrade the A&E.
YorkshireLive was given a tour of the A&E on Thursday morning by A&E head nurse Tom Ladlow who said the facilities were so impressive that it was common for first-time visitors to do a "sharp intake of breath in sheer delight."
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It took over 40 minutes to see everything, including separate units for 'major' and 'minor' medical matters and specialist separate unit for treating children from 16 and under. There are two entrances, one for patients in ambulances, and one for walk-in patients.
Tom said: "These facilities are world class and this is a good news day for the people of Huddersfield. The services we can delivery take us to the next level.
"If I could, I would show people around these facilities all day every day."
Tom described the new A&E as much more spacious as well as having facilities that the old unit does not have. He felt 'complete elation' when he first stepped inside the new unit.
"As you first come in (to A&E), you will see the stark contrast - we are really pushing forward the services we can provide. Our community now has world-class facilities, so we can provide better healthcare. Patients will be cared for better, our teams will feel better, the environment is much better."
The new unit includes a dedicated plaster room (where plaster casts are applied), two fingerprint-activated medicine cabinets, a dedicated room for eye treatment, and a seating area for patients receiving drugs intravenously.
One area of the department has been set aside for children. The dedicated paediatric emergency department includes three cubicles, each one with wall murals and TVs to help make patients feel more relaxed. The paediatric unit has higher security to make patients and relatives safer.
Tom said the improvement in care facilities for child patients was immense.
"I don't think I could find a word to describe the improvement this gives us. It really does take Calderdale and Huddersfield to the next level in terms of the care we can provide for children.
"The facilities we have got now are absolutely no contrast to where we are and what we will become when it opens."
The old A&E will be turned into a discharge lounge.
