More treatment spaces for patients, more room, and improved flow of patients through the Emergency Department are just some of the anticipated benefits of ward moves currently underway at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

The moves will create extra ambulatory care spaces for patients, including treatment spaces, sitting areas, and waiting areas; and a new ambulatory unit supporting medicine, surgery, and vascular triage in a combined facility. Ambulatory care offers medical assessment, treatment, and care to people without the need to be admitted to hospital.

Overall, the £1.4m project will help patients receive care more quickly, especially in the hospital’s busy Emergency Department. The project was funded as a result of a bid for capital funding from NHS England & NHS Improvement.

The first phase of the project will be open to patients from the Spring.

By locating the new ambulatory unit next to the Day Hospital at the John Radcliffe, the Trust will be able to maximise the use of this space for its patients. As the Day Hospital is only open during the daytime, its facilities will be available for patients in the unit out of hours, including a number of consulting rooms, a gym, and a large waiting area.

Charmaine Hope, Director of Capital Development at the Trust, said: “This work is now well underway and is a big step to improving our clinical facilities.

“One of the key drivers for the moves is to increase ambulatory capacity to support moving our patients through our Emergency Department – by providing extra ambulatory care beds, we’ll be able to treat more patients there and then as opposed to them being admitted to a hospital bed or waiting around for treatment.  

“Our clinical areas will be greatly enhanced, and the project will improve the environment and experience for both our patients and staff. We’ve been working hard to minimise the disruption to our patients and staff, and we’re really grateful for their patience.”

Katy Mimpress, Matron of the Emergency Department at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "We are delighted that this work is underway. The new space will be a great improvement for our patients and for our staff to work in, and importantly, we can see and start treating patients more quickly."