A Vision for the Future of Weston General Hospital

Same Day Emergency Care Service (SDEC) is a cornerstone of this new vision, symbolising a step change in urgent medical treatment. By focusing on providing rapid diagnostics and immediate care, SDEC aims to treat and discharge patients on the same day, minimising hospital stays.

The benefits of SDEC are manifold. For patients, it means quicker access to treatment, reduced waiting times, and the comfort of recovering at home. For healthcare providers, it enhances workflow efficiency and allows resources to be channelled where they are most needed. By recruiting skilled staff and investing in the latest medical technologies, SDEC ensures that emergency care in Weston is at the forefront of medical innovation.

We are also investing a recent significant funding of £5M from NHS England to expand and improve our urgent care services. This not only promises to create additional space, thus improving fast flow and reducing pressure on colleagues throughout the hospital, but it also means more patients in North Somerset can receive treatment for conditions that can be rapidly diagnosed and treated and can go home without being admitted to a ward.

The expansion will provide a new SDEC  as well as more space for paediatric emergency department (in line with RCPM and CQC guidelines), ED observations fast flow, and rapid assessment triage and treatment. The new SDEC and paediatric ED reconfiguration form the first phase of the project, with the aim of having both facilities available to occupy and care for those in need by December 2024.

Delivering acute adult in-patient care via the right pathways is core to our vision for Weston Hospital. Innovative and equitable models of delivery are in development with local partners in the place of Weston and across UHBW for in-reach, outreach and transfer. This creates exciting opportunities for skills development and professional careers.

The acute medical unit (AMU) will provide continuous observation and immediate intervention for adult non-frail patients in a critical condition. The staff working in AMU will specialise in managing patients who are acutely unwell and will have access to advance technology required to deliver the care required.

AMU’s focus is not just on immediate care but also on the holistic well-being of the patient. Collaboration with families, mental health professionals, and supportive care teams ensures that every aspect of a patient’s recovery is considered. These changes symbolise a commitment to patient safety and personalised care, delivering the best outcomes for those in need.

With an ageing population, the need for specialised geriatric care is paramount. The Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEMS) at Weston General Hospital are a direct response to this necessity.

By expanding the GEMS service at the hospital’s front door, we aim to care for more patients with specialised needs. Expanding both the team and working hours in the emergency department ensures more comprehensive care and greater job satisfaction for the medical professionals.

Understanding Older People’s Needs Healthy Weston recognises the complex needs of older individuals presenting for acute medical care. The Older People’s Assessment Unit (OPAU) focuses on initiating a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment delivered by a multidisciplinary team at the earliest stage of hospital admission. Whether returning patients to their homes within the first 72 hours in hospital or assessing their need for admission to specialised care of the elderly wards for continued treatment, OPAU’s innovative strategies aim to optimise clinical care from the outset thus enhancing patient satisfaction and reducing hospital length of stay.

The journey to becoming a Surgical Centre of Excellence is a bold step for Weston General Hospital. It embodies the aspiration to create a high volume, lower complexity Centre of Excellence for Surgery, delivering top-tier surgical interventions as a key part of the UHBW surgical strategy and vision. By fostering collaboration and growth, the Centre aims to be an environment where innovation thrives. It will be a place where passionate individuals can aspire to grow personally and professionally while providing exemplary surgical care.