£40m emergency care centre set to open next month

A £40m Walsall urgent and emergency care centre is set to be operational from next month.

The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has announced the 53,820 sq ft department will receive patients from March 2 following the “most substantial investment” the trust has seen.

The emergency department will be the first to make its move overnight on March 1, followed by the acute medical unit during the day on March 9.

On April 26, the paediatric assessment unit will move into its new home. Imaging services will also start moving in from March.

The two-storey £40m development, being delivered by Tilbury Douglas, will “significantly improve emergency care facilities and capacity”.

Will Roberts, director of operations and deputy chief operating officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “This is the most substantial investment our Trust has ever seen and we can’t wait to start delivering our services from this much improved environment that will help us to provide the first class healthcare provision that our patients and families deserve.”

Debbie White, senior project manager for build, highlighted the work that has taken place with the wider community on the new build.

She said: “We have invited a range of focus groups and Healthwatch members to come and visit the new UECC next week prior to the first move and are looking forward to showing them our new centre and demonstrating how their views have been taken on board where possible.

“Community engagement has been vital to the success of this project and we thank them for their valuable contributions.”