Emergency Department

Our Emergency Department opened in Summer 2023 and has been designed to give the best possible care to patients. The £27m department, which is based in a state-of-the-art was operationally opened on 21 June 2023, and officially opened on 12 July.  

With its innovative approach to patient flow, high-spec equipment, ultra-modern technology and a real grounding in the community through the locally sourced artwork and wayfinding is a redefining jewel in Chesterfield’s crown but it’s vital that people only visit if they truly need to.

Facilities:

• Technology to live monitor patients
• A dedicated children and young people’s area
• A specialist zone for neurodiverse patients or those experiencing a mental health crisis
• The area above the department includes a state-of-the-art simulation suite and facilities to support the training, health and wellbeing of our colleagues.

Award-winning

The Emergency Department building was declared winner of the ‘Best Interior Design category’ in the national ‘Building Better Healthcare Awards’, which were held in London in November 2023. The awards celebrate the achievements in the built healthcare environment, with the Trust also being shortlisted in two Best New Project categories for both the Emergency Department and the colleague’s Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Our department offers:

• A navigation point at the entrance to support patients in making the best decisions for ongoing care. 
• Enhanced air changes and negative pressure to ensure the reduction of airborne disease transmission utilising learning from COVID-19 pandemics. 
• Rooms and areas across the department with specific functions in mind but with the ability to be altered depending on demands on the department. This flexibility will provide reassurance and a future-proof environment. 
• Enhanced clinical testing systems, allowing quick and early diagnostics and ongoing patient monitoring. This reduces the time patients spend waiting for diagnostics and also improves the work environment for our clinicians and supporting colleagues. 
• We are increasing the number of resuscitation bays for our most unwell patients to six, including bespoke isolation and paediatric resuscitation bays.

Patients will notice lots of natural light, bespoke artwork and enhanced information sharing ensuring they understand the waiting times, and what is currently happening within the department and what their journey through the department will look like. 

Patients who have visited the previous ED department will notice huge changes in facilities, clinical room layout and clinical facilities, patients who have not visited before will see a state-of-the-art ED that provides the highest standard of care.

A supportive environment for colleagues

• To support colleagues – increasing our ability to recruit and retain the very best clinicians – education, training and health and wellbeing facilities are being integrated into the top of the UECD to ensure colleagues have access to the most modern facilities.
• A breakout room for colleagues, with lots of natural light, male and female changing rooms with showers and lockers to support our workforce is an added selling point. 
• Offices for medical, nursing and AHP staff are included to ensure there is space to undertake administrative tasks. 
• We have built a state-of-the-art simulation suite to support real-world simulation – this will increase expertise and confidence. 
• We are hoping that the facilities we have built show our recognition of the efforts of ED – we want all colleagues to be looked after to the highest standard as they look after patients.