CONGESTION in Bury's casualty department is set to be dramatically reduced thanks to the new emergency admission ward at Bury General Hospital.

Last month health bosses agreed to refurbish Norris Ward at the hospital, formerly used as a surgical ward.

The Emergency Admissions Unit (EAU) has been set up by Bury Health Care NHS Trust to primarily reduce the waiting times at the casualty department.

Under the previous system anyone who was referred to casualty via their GP had to wait to see a doctor, usually from another part of the hospital, to examine them before they were admitted for any treatment.

Now patients referred to the Accident and Emergency department by their GP can be fast-tracked to one of the 21 beds without the delay of waiting for a doctor. The EAU has a team of doctors and nurses already on the ward to see to the patients immediately. The patient's history sent by the GP and collected by the nurses on the ward is also used to help doctors give a faster assessment.

If a patient needs surgery immediately, they are admitted to one of the emergency beds which has the equipment to be used as a surgical bed or a medical bed.

All emergency cases that are brought in to the hospital by an ambulance via a 999 call or anyone who admits themselves will still have to go through an assessment by a casualty doctor before being admitted for treatment.

Mr David Clements, hospitals general manager, admitted that there have been a few teething problems but said he was thrilled with the progress.

"Some junior doctors were concerned about the administration side of things like paperwork. But we have looked at the situation and dealt with it."

Mr Clements stressed that the ward has come at just the right time to help medical staff deal with winter pressures.

"On average we have about 25 admissions to casualty a day but in the last week we were dealing with 45 a day. The new ward means faster assessment and faster treatment for patients which can only be good. It has already helped staff to cope with the increase," said Mr Clements.

Health watchdogs have also welcomed the new unit. Mr Paul Reynolds, Bury Community Health Council chief officer, was delighted with the news.

"It will make a huge difference. It will stop people having to wait on trolleys while they wait for a bed."

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