A major new service has been launched at Grantham and District Hospital which will provide faster, better care for patients who are well enough to be seen and discharged on the same day.
The new Assessment and Ambulatory Centre (AAC) provides urgent, same day treatment for patients, so that they don’t have to be admitted to hospital if there is no requirement for this.
Patients with certain symptoms who arrive via A&E or are sent by their GP are fast tracked for assessment and appropriate tests by the acute medical team, enabling them to be treated quickly and sent home.
This provides a more positive experience for patients and frees up hospital beds for those who really need them. The service will also play a significant role in reducing the workload in A&E, particularly in the busier winter months.
Some of the cases covered by the AAC include mild asthma, falls, suspected blood clots, chest pains and uncomplicated pneumonia.
The new unit at Grantham has been created through a joint investment by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and the South West Lincolnshire CCG.
Similar services already exist at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital, Boston and their comments and feedback have directly influenced the design of this new service at Grantham.
Dr Shirine Boardman, Consultant Physician in Acute Medicine at Grantham Hospital, said: “Assessment Ambulatory Care is better for the right selection of patients, providing efficient diagnosis, assessment and treatment much like a day case centre. It improves the patient experience and helps the NHS reduce unnecessary inpatient stays.
“The safety of our patients is at the core of what we do. That is why we will only discharge those whose assessments have confirmed that their clinical condition does not require hospital admission.
“This is a significant development for healthcare in Grantham. No one wants to be in hospital if they don’t have to be.”
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