Health staff praised

Mr Rip Gangahar, A&E consultant at Rochdale Infirmary with Rochdale patient, Natalie Daley

Staff at Rochdale Infirmary have been praised for their hard work and commitment in providing services at the newly created integrated healthcare centre after its first full week in operation.

The new facility at the hospital has been developed following the relocation of the town’s Walk In Centre which moved across the road into the Accident and Emergency department on Monday 17 August.

The BARDOC GP out of hours services is also due to move across to the facility.

An integrated team of staff comprising GPs, A&E doctors, nurses, and administration and reception staff now work together in the same area to provide integrated healthcare services.

As part of the move, the hospital has undergone some refurbishment including:

• A newly refurbished children’s area with toys and activities.
• Two new clinical areas, including treatment rooms.
• Larger reception and waiting area.
• More office space.

After a full week of the integrated facility being in operation between 7am on Monday 17 August to 7am 24 August, staff had received more than 1,500 (1,509) patients attending the department, including 324 children.

Mr Rip Gangahar, A&E consultant and site lead at Rochdale Infirmary for The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust stressed the commitment of staff and the importance placed on excellent patient care.

He said: “Obviously with a service move as complex and sensitive as this there have been some teething problems but there’s a real will and commitment to make it work and give the best possible service to patients. Patient care and safety continues to be of paramount importance throughout.”

Karen Hughes, divisional nurse manager (medicine) at Rochdale Infirmary, added: “Praise has to be given to the staff both in A&E and the Walk In Centre who have worked very hard recently supporting the move. They’ve been through a lot but continued to deliver an excellent service throughout.”