A new centre at the Whittington Hospital offering patients same-day emergency treatment for the first time in a dedicated space has been officially opened by Norman Lamb MP.
The hospital’s ambulatory care centre, in Magdala Avenue, Archway, was officially inaugurated by the Minister of State for Care and Support on Thursday, after first opening in March.
It has 17 treatment spaces for adults and provides easy access to diagnostic tests, consultants and specialist staff in one place.
Patients are referred from the Accident & Emergency department (A&E) or by their GP, and the purpose of ambulatory care is to treat conditions in a patient-focused way without the need for an overnight hospital stay. Children can also be observed for longer periods of time than in A&E.
Clarissa Murdoch, clinical lead for ambulatory care, said: “This is a lovely area for patients and staff that offers a real alternative to admission and puts us at the forefront of ambulatory care.”
MP Mr Lamb said: “We need to find ways of making the NHS work better and this centre is a clear example of what the future will be like.”
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