New Acute Medicine Unit – Changes to access to Level 2 Outpatients
Published: 8 March 2021
We’re starting to build our new Acute Medicine Unit (AMU) – currently known as the Medical Receiving Unit (MRU) – on the Torbay Hospital site.
Our Acute Medicine Unit is essential to reduce overcrowding in our Emergency Department and to ensure that our patients receive timely, high quality care, in the right place. Our current unit has 26 assessment spaces for patients, whereas our new facility will see this increase to 52 assessment spaces. The exciting, £15million project will see us receive a modern and fit-for-purpose AMU.
We are expecting Kier (the appointed contractors) to be on site from Monday 15 March and anticipate the building works will last for 12 months.
Enablement works have already started in preparation for the build to take place. This has included Ophthalmology’s outpatient services moving from the Portacabins in to the main hospital outpatients unit on Level 2.
We are aware that the works will create some disruption for staff and our patients.
The AMU construction will impact access to Outpatients Level 2 and there will be changes to access which are detailed below.
New signage will be in place to help with directions. Our volunteer Wayfinders will be on hand to assist you with directions – look out for their blue t-shirts.
Department/Location | New entry point |
Ophthalmology | Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance, following the one-way system through to the Eye Clinic |
Paediatrics | Main Entrance, Level 4. Lift D with any queues managed |
Heart and Lung | Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance |
Remaining Level 2 Outpatients services and MAAT | Main Heart and Lung Unit entrance, following the one-way system to the general Outpatients main reception to then be directed. Exit will be through the eye treatment door, or the same way as entrance for those with accessibility requirements |
COVID-19 screening will be taking place for all patients attending clinics at the entrances, with enhanced cleaning taking place and additional hand gel, hand washing facilities and PPE stations provided.
Our outpatient pharmacy will remain open and accessible via footpath.