Emergency Department and Critical Care
jurassic coast challenge

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

Patient Story

When Colin was first admitted to Dorset County Hospital’s Critical Care Unit, on 23 September 2019, he was so unwell that the first note in his ‘hospital diary’ wasn’t made until three days later as he wasn’t expected to survive. He was unconscious, on both a ventilator and a kidney machine.

Colin came off the ventilator a week later. Frightened and confused at times, he was continually reassured by the staff. The turning point for him came when he was given a bed bath and a shave.

A few days later Colin managed to sit up for the first time and his condition continued to improve. Staff moved him to a special chair where he was encouraged to exercise his arms and legs using a specially-modified cycle.

After about 18 days Colin was transferred to the Renal Ward where he continued his recovery. “Absolutely superb care, against all odds, I AM STILL HERE.” Colin

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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.

Greatest Need Appeal logo

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.

Greatest need

Greatest need

Your donation will help wherever the need is greatest at Dorset County Hospital

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Staff welfare

Your donation will support the ongoing health and well-being needs of all staff at Dorset County Hospital during the pandemic and beyond

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Cancer care

Cancer care at DCH includes specialist outpatient and inpatient units staffed by dedicated professionals providing high quality care

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Intensive Care

Intensive care is provided by our Critical Care Unit, delivering intensive and high-dependency services for critically ill patients

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Emergency care

The Emergency Department at DCH provides a 24-hour service treating serious injuries and life-threatening conditions

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Kidney health

The Dorset Renal Unit based at DCH is a county-wide service looking after a population of over 700,000

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Heart health

The Cardiac Unit looks after a population of 250,000, performing around 400 Coronary stent procedures and implanting 450 cardiac devices each year

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Children

Care for children includes the Kingfisher children’s ward, Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and Maternity Services

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Diabetes

The Diabetes Centre provides care, support and information for Diabetic patients and a base for staff working in Community Hospitals across Dorset

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Eye care

The Royal Eye Infirmary carries out over 4000 procedures every year looking after both adults and children

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Elderly care

DCH provides comprehensive care for older people and patients with Dementia treating all patients with dignity, respect and compassion

Latest news

Cattistock open gardens team with ICU staff
Cattistock open gardens team with ICU staff

Cattistock Open Gardens supports new appeal

appeals
Further support for Dorset County Hospital Charity’s recently launched Emergency and Critical Care Appeal has been received from the Cattistock Open Gardens team. The event held in June this year…

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.

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For more information about Arts in Hospital, please contact Suzy at suzy.rushbrook@dchft.nhs.uk or call 01305 253424.

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