A £2.5M Capital Appeal funding major enhancements to the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at Dorset County Hospital
The Need
There is currently insufficient Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit capacity at Dorset County Hospital to meet both current and future demand. The Emergency Department was built to accommodate 22,000 attendances; in 2021/22 attendances were 50,119. To meet patient demand, Dorset County Hospital will build a new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit which will significantly improve the hospital’s capacity and transform the experience of Emergency and Critical Care patients and their families. Funding has been prioritised by the government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) for this major development in healthcare provision.
The Appeal
Dorset County Hospital Charity has commenced a £2.5M Capital Appeal, to enhance patient care and staff welfare in the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit. The Appeal is raising funds for enhanced facilities to make patient care and staff wellbeing even better. It will also fund artistically designed elements in both new units to help create a sympathetic and healing environment for the benefit of all.
What the DCH Charity Emergency and Critical Care Appeal will provide:
Emergency Department
- Dedicated relatives’ room
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Suite
- Improved staff welfare facilities
- Uplifting art and design elements
Critical Care Unit
- Paediatric bed space and equipment
- Relatives’ overnight accommodation
- Staff rest and quiet areas and overnight accommodation
- Patient garden
- Uplifting art and design elements
Dr Suzie Key is a Consultant Emergency Physician in our Emergency Department
Clinician Case: Emergency Department
Dr Suzie Key on the benefits of the new ED
“Over the last few years, the Emergency Department at Dorset County has had to adapt to many new challenges whilst continuing to provide high quality care to the people of Dorset. These challenges have put into focus the limitations of the existing department which was originally built to provide care for approximately half the number of patients we now see.
The aim of the New Hospital Programme is to provide a modern Emergency Department better designed to meet the needs of the local population. The new department aims to give dedicated spaces for children and young people as well as those with mental health needs. It is being designed to reduce crowded waiting areas and provide a calm and pleasant environment for people to be treated in.
The needs of our population are ever increasing. This amazing new project will enable Dorset County to build a department to meet those needs both now and into the future.”
Clinician Case: Critical Care Unit
Dr David Quick, Consultant in Anaesthetics and Critical Care Medicine explains the need for the new Critical Care Unit
“The Covid pandemic sharply brought into focus the shortage of beds in critical care at Dorset County Hospital. The hospital was already well below the national average for critical beds per head of population but the unit was able to temporarily expand into ward areas to cope with the increase in demand.
The new Critical Care Unit will provide a facility that is purpose built to enhance the care for patients, to provide families with support and access to their loved ones and provide an environment for the staff to work to their full potential.
I am particularly excited that the plans include rooms for relatives to get rest and have some privacy, space for staff education and relaxation and an outdoor area that will provide patients with access to fresh air.”
Download a copy of our Emergency and Critical Care Appeal flyer here
Ex-patient Colin (third from left) with members of the DCH Critical Care Team
The Charity’s purpose is to raise funds to enhance patient care at Dorset County Hospital;
providing support that is above and beyond the NHS budget.
Donations from our patients, their families and generous individuals are an important source of support for us. However small, all donations make an essential contribution, helping us to continually improve patient care.
The Greatest Need Appeal will support vital projects across the whole of Dorset County Hospital,
targeting extra help wherever the need is greatest. Find out more here.
Find out more about our other appeals here
Support our Care Areas
Our Power of Giving campaign is raising money to support specialist care areas across Dorset County Hospital. As a result of the Covid pandemic the need in many of these areas is greater than ever. Please help in whatever way you can so that we can continue to deliver the best possible care for all our patients at Dorset County Hospital.
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Arts in Hospital
Arts in Hospital is a small, charitable organisation based at Dorset County Hospital and linked with Dorset County Charity. We aim to support patients and staff through an enhanced hospital environment and therapeutic art projects that have medical and social benefits.
We are dependent on charitable grants and donations to support the work we do and our finances are administered by the Charitable Trust at Dorset County Hospital. (Charity Registration Number 1056479).
Please check out our website https://dchartsinhospital.org.uk for our latest news and projects.
For more information about Arts in Hospital, please contact Suzy at suzy.rushbrook@dchft.nhs.uk or call 01305 253424.