New Children’s Emergency & Trauma Department.
The Murray Parish Trust along with Southampton Hospital Charity have teamed up with The Daily Echo in a campaign to get Chancellor George Osborne to ‘Say Yes’ to fund-match £2 million the charities hope to raise to build a new Children’s Emergency & Trauma Department at University Hospital Southampton. UHS have already committed £800,000 towards the £4.8 million needed to create a dedicated A&E for children from across the whole of the South of England.
The project will include the development of a state-of-the-art eight-bed observation area, 11 glass fronted and sound proof cubicles and on-hand x-ray facilities. It will also see the creation of a reception, triage and waiting area for young patients. Currently there is a separate waiting area for children within the emergency department but it is located within the adult A&E. It consist of just four trolley bays, one isolation cubicle and an observation area for three patients, while the paediatric assessment unit its four floors up.
Winchester MP, Steve Brine is spearheading the bid to secure the £2 million investment from government along with colleagues from constituencies in the area. George Osborne’s announcement yesterday gives a huge boost to the campaign.