Thumbs up to new children’s area at Rochdale Infirmary

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A group of local patients and members of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust joined representatives from Healthwatch Rochdale recently in an exclusive “walk and talk” visit to Rochdale Infirmary’s Urgent Care Centre (UCC) to see the new children’s waiting and play area.

Delegates were given a detailed presentation and talk about the services provided at the UCC and future developments planned at Rochdale Infirmary, including the new short-stay Oasis Dementia Unit which is due to open in April and the investment in new blood testing machines.

The group of twenty members were then given a short guided tour of the unit including the new children’s play and waiting area, the newly opened distraction cubicle, plaster and eye area and stabilisation bay.

The exclusive visit was led by Dr Shona McCallum, clinical lead, and Sister Lou Harkness-Hudson, clinical matron at the Infirmary.

Sr Lou Harkness-Hudson said: “The Urgent Care Centre is designed for modern healthcare, with the very best equipment and new models of care that will create a much more integrated and responsive service for our patients. It is staffed with nurse practitioners, doctors, nurses and health care assistants who work together to provide exceptional standards of care to the public. We are open 24 hours a day every single day of the year and have access to a full range of diagnostics including blood testing and X-ray. If you have a serious injury or illness call 999.”

The facilities at the Urgent Care Centre, includes:

• Separate adult and children waiting areas
• Separate adult and children’s treatment areas
• Separate triage rooms
• Children’s play area
• Distraction cubicle
• Stabilisation bay
• Signposting capabilities to all internal and external services
• Confidential closed door treatment rooms
• Alcohol support worker
• Domestic violence workers
• Access to a DVT Service

Jacqueline Bestley, community and engagement officer from Healthwatch Rochdale, who took part in the visit, said: “I just wanted to say a big thank you for the Urgent Care Centre talk and tour that myself and my colleague were treated to. The session allowed for questions to be asked as well as being very informative. I felt that the staff were really inspiring and optimistic about the future of the hospital and the tour was done in a respectful way so as to be the least disruptive to the patients attending at the time.

“I am now in a better position to be able to speak more confidently about Rochdale Infirmary and its services. Well done to all involved and keep up the good work!”

Rochdale Infirmary is open and continues to provide a range of hospital services including a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre (UCC), a short stay in-patient Clinical Assessment Unit, day surgery, a specialist Pennine Rheumatology Centre, x-ray, blood testing, antenatal services, early pregnancy unit, outpatient clinics and an Eye Unit.