Millions of pounds are being spent on the A&E department at St Mary’s Hospital which will improve facilities for seriously sick patients and increase treatment areas.

The refurbishment will see an increase in resuscitation bays, where patients are stabilised as priorities, from four to six, and a new four-bed paediatric assessment unit within the children’s A&E department.

The work will cost £3.2m and is due to begin on June 6. It is being funded in full by a grant from Imperial College Healthcare Charity and will be completed in January 2017. The A&E department will remain open during this time.

The planned works include:

  • The increase in resuscitation bays from four to six
  • The new paediatric assessment unit. This will provide dedicated facilities for children who need further investigation to determine whether they should be admitted or discharged
  • Improved patient pathways with the creation of a new assessment area
  • A redesigned reception area which will offer more privacy and a better patient experience
  • A new area where friends and families can wait in private

The refurbishment follows on from investment last year by the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which saw an increase of six consultants in the Paddington hospital’s A&E, which has allowed the department to provide more senior staff until later in the evening and increased capacity at the weekend.

Dr Ali Sanders, chief of service for emergency and ambulatory care at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The layout and design of St Mary’s A&E department needs to keep pace with demand. Last year, we had a five per cent increase in patients arriving via emergency ‘blue light’ ambulance.

“The upgrade will provide more spaces for assessment and treatment of our most critically ill and injured patients and a more efficient working environment for staff. This will mean faster pathways for patients, in better surroundings and with greater privacy.”

Ian Lush, CEO of Imperial College Healthcare Charity, said: “A&E departments can be stressful places to visit and work.

"Improving the facilities at St Mary’s A&E will give a significant boost to patients, staff and families, and bring the environment up to a standard which better reflects the very high quality of the clinical care provided.

"We are pleased that the charity has been able to make this significant investment in the Trust’s facilities.”

Work will be completed in phases to minimise disruption.

At the end of last year the hospital announced plans for a new £10m children's IC U.

In January it also opened a new dementia ward offering ground-breaking treatment to poorly patients.