Building work is currently underway to redevelop the hospital’s Level 5 and A&E areas.
When complete, this work will allow us to:
• Provide more beds for seriously ill A&E patients
• Enlarge the x-ray department next to A&E
• Increase the size of our Day Surgery Unit
• Create a High Dependency Unit (HDU) to support our Intensive Care Units
What’s happening when
Work began in 2009. The first stage involved moving our Fracture Clinic from Level 5 to a new location alongside the Barry Building, making way for the creation of a new 36-bed Acute Medical Unit and three new ultrasound rooms.
Fracture Clinic Our new clinic buildings were lifted into place adjacent to Upper Abbey Road at the end of March.
The Fracture Clinic relocated to the new purpose-built modular buildings at the end of April 2009. As there is no pavement to separate cars and pedestrians by the entrance to the clinic, staff and patients are advised to access the clinic by walking through the Barry Building via the following route:
The new Acute Medical Unit (AMU) opened in January 2010. It provides a clinically appropriate environment for assessing and making decisions about the right course of treatment for patients who are acutely ill. It is incomparable with the previous Medical Assessment Unit it replaced. Patients and their families, as well as staff working in AMU, benefit from natural daylight, more beds and two side rooms with en suite bathrooms and panoramic views of Brighton’s coastline.
The third phase of the Level 5 Reconfiguration began in June, involving the expansion of our Day Surgery Unit (DSU). The new DSU will be expanded to provide separate pre and post operative bays, and to enable the provision of single sex accommodation for patients. Work has also started on building a 12-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) to support our Intensive Care Units. This work is scheduled to be completed in November 2010.
Patients and visitors may find that their usual routes within Level 5 are diverted as affected areas are sectioned off. There may also be some additional noise as a result of the building works.
Thanks to everyone for your patience during this time.
Information for local residents
Letter to residents January 2009
Who to contact
If you have a question about the Level 5 redevelopment, email bridget.mcgee@bsuh.nhs.uk or call (01273 696955 ext 7527)
