‘A milestone development in Lincolnshire healthcare!’ Boston Pilgrim Hospital’s £45 million emergency department will open next week - but you can take an early look inside
Pilgrim Hospital’s brand new £45 million emergency department - labelled a ‘milestone development in Lincolnshire healthcare’ - will be treating its first patients from Wednesday.
Phase one of the new building - which is only one third in size of the final development but already twice the size of the existing and dated A&E department - has been the product of five years of hard work.
From more treatment bays to easier ambulance access, this modern structure prides itself on offering all the best up-to-date care available for the most needy in this digital-led age, with the impetus on creating an easier, calmer environment for both staff and patients.
“If you’ve been into our current emergency department, you can see how cramped it is, how difficult it is for the mazing staff to deliver amazing care,” United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Prof Karen Dunderdale explained.
“We know the experience for some of our patients just isn’t what we would want it to be. They outgrew that department years ago, so to have this facility is just phenomenal.”
Meanwhile, Dr Rajeshwar Ranganathan, clinical lead for emergency medicine, believes the new department will be a gamechanger for patients and staff.
“We’re absolutely excited and strongly believe this is a milestone development in emergency healthcare in Lincolnshire.
On Thursday LincsOnline was invited by hospital chiefs to take a tour of the new Boston development, which will offer emergency care to residents in the county and beyond.
It’s fair to say none of us ever want to take a trip to A&E but, with life taking many unexpected turns, locals should be happy to know they would be getting the most up-to-date care available.
Upon entry we are greeted by a large set of scales on the floor that can weigh a patient straight off the ambulance while still on their trolley.
This quick step instantly allows medical experts to ascertain the levels of medication the patient would be able to be administered.
The next step is the rapid space, a waiting area which allows the patient to be met instantly and the ambulance crew to return to their vehicle and respond to the next call.
In this area a small door leads to a decontamination area.
While Lincolnshire may not be at serious threat of nuclear spills or biological warfare, farm and factory workers affected by chemicals or, for example, prison officers who have opened parcels inclusing unnexplained white powder, can take the precaution of cleansing themselves here.
Staff at the command and control zone will meet patients and ensure they are transported to the areas which will best suit there needs.
The next step on our route through the new building takes us to the eight resuscitation bays. Here the sickest patients get the highest level of emergency care.
While the current A&E department sees patients separated by curtains, each patient has their own bay, complete with individual computer, meaning their doctor has instant access to a machine rather than having to wait for a device to become free in the central hub, which is the case at the present department.
The entrance to each bay, one of which is dedicated for child care, also has a negative pressure area which allows staff to don and doff - the term given to the taking off and putting on of protective equipment - and prevent the spread of infection and disease.
Such facilities weren’t even considered when this new construction was first announced pre-pandemic by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, when he declared £21.3 million of Government funding towards the scheme during a 2019 visit.
However, this is just one example of how the project has continued to be shaped throughout its development, with NHS employees also having their ideas included through staff surveys.
“Throughout the course of the building staff have had input and suggestions, and patients have also shared suggestions,” said matron Philippa Davies.
“It’s been very important. We’ve listened to what staff and patients have wanted and that’s been done for them.”
Beyond the consultation station where, among other jobs, blood samples will be sent off to labs for testing, are 12 majors.
These are further glass fronted cubicles for patients who are seriously ill but not in life-threatening danger.
One of these cubicles is a dedicated safe assessment room for patients with mental health needs.
Every aspect of the room and en suite bathroom has been made safe to ensure patients cannot harm themselves, while two side doors offer staff quick escape options if necessary.
Tragically, not all emergency department stories have happy endings. The Swan Room is an area which allows families to view bodies of loved ones in a safe, sensitive environment.
A viewing window is also in place in a hallway which links to the adjacent relative waiting room, compassionately allowing those who wish to view a body - but not enter the same space - to do so.
The design of the Swan Room was green lit following consultations with numerous families on how they felt their needs could be dealt with in the most senstive manner.
The resuscitation and majors areas both have signs on the walls explaining to visitors what each department treats, complete with QR codes allowing for translation into a number of other languages.
Also on the ground floor are a ward kitchen - allowing three square meals to be cooked up for patients throughout the day - plus a pediatric area for youngsters.
However, when phase two is eventually completed within an expected 18-month timeframe the child patients will then move into a dedicated spot with this area housing a CT scanner.
The first floor is a staff-only area, incorporating office space and a new staff room where a well-earned and comfortable break can be taken during a tough shift.
Further flights of stairs lead to the plant room with its heat pumps and rooftop where air pumps which heat the building can be found.
Backed up by newly-installed generators, this new emergency site is a self-sufficient stand-alone building which has met net zero targets.
“The scale of the work so far is impressive,” Prof Dunderdale added.
“Especially when you consider this is just the first phase.
“Now the work will focus on transforming the existing department and joining both phases together in 2026.”