Barnet Hospital in North London, UK, is redeveloping its urgent and emergency care (UEC) facilities with an investment of £6.5m ($7.97m).

Once finished, the project will improve the timely treatment of individuals including those who arrive by ambulance, while providing an enhanced working environment for hospital staff.

Patients arriving on foot will be assessed at the entrance located in front of the hospital following which they will be directed to either the emergency department (ED) for serious conditions or the urgent treatment centre (UTC) for less severe issues.

Currently, only 25% of UEC patients are seen in the UTC, but the redevelopment project is expected to increase this figure to 35%-50%, thereby reducing wait times for patients and ambulance handover times due to increased capacity in the ED.

In addition, the project will provide a refurbished paediatric ED, an expanded ambulance handover area, and more purpose-built mental health rooms.

The redevelopment is being undertaken in three phases, with the first phase slated for completion by March 2024, and the completion of the total project by the end of 2024.

Barnet Hospital CEO Deborah Sanders said: “This is a really exciting development for the hospital.

“We’re hoping these plans will make a big difference to patient waiting times in our emergency department and will ensure that patients are seen in the most appropriate location for them.”

A part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust group, Barnet Hospital’s speciality services include paediatrics, dermatology, gynaecology, and orthopaedics among others.