Construction of a new, state-of-the-art Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary has completed.
The new, facility is set to open this autumn to patients. The 24/7, purpose-built A&E will serve the people of Huddersfield and the surrounding area, enabling the provision of high quality urgent and emergency care for local people.
All services currently based in the existing A&E on North Drive will transfer across to the new facility on South Drive when it opens for patient care.
The new A&E is a much-needed replacement for the existing department, which dates back to the 1960s. It is in a brand-new location on South Drive, easily accessed from Acre Street with parking for cars and ambulances.
The new A&E at HRI has major and minors treatment areas, a dedicated paediatric area and resuscitation and x-ray bays. It also has dedicated family carer areas, with a sensitively located bereavement suite. It has been designed with inspiration from the local area and with engagement from local people.
Its new location means it can be connected by a corridor to services in the main hospital, including CT and MRI scans, operating theatres, and ward areas.
Anna Basford, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Transformation at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) said: “We are absolutely delighted to have completed on the construction of the new A&E. This is a huge moment for all of us at CHFT, and a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the project.
“There’s a lot to do over the coming weeks, as we prepare for the opening. We look forward to inviting members of the public to come and have a look round before it opens and will soon be sharing details of our public open day.”
Dr Mark Davies, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Lead for the A&E development at CHFT, said: “This is a pivotal moment for the project, and a step closer towards opening this fantastic facility.
“The new, full-service Accident and Emergency department will be staffed by specialist doctors and nurses trained in emergency medicine.
“It will enable the hospital to better meet the needs of the people of Huddersfield and the surrounding area.”
Works on the new A&E have been completed by Integrated Health Partners (IHP). The suppliers and construction partners which supported the build along the way were almost exclusively local, generating income into the local economy and providing employment opportunities for people in our local area.
The development is part of a £200 million investment to ensure that Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and its partners can provide the best hospital and community healthcare for patients and families for future generations.
