Work is progressing well on the new £24 million planned care hub at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), which will transform patient care by providing modernised theatres and dedicated recovery areas.
It will enable day case surgery services to be provided all year round, meaning patients will benefit from shorter waiting times and fewer cancellations.
You may also have noticed work taking place at the main entrance of PRH, which is part of the exciting transformation plans and includes an improved environment and new retail facilities for patients, visitors and staff.
It is really taking shape and looks fantastic. Thank you for your support and understanding while the main entrance is temporarily closed until October to allow the safe construction of a new link canopy and footway.
If you are visiting PRH, signage is in place to guide you into the hospital, and disabled parking spaces, which have been displaced during the construction period, have been relocated to an easily accessible location.
Later this week, consultants will be taking industrial action (from 7am on Thursday 24 August to 7am on Saturday 26 August) and the August bank holiday weekend. Please remember to ‘Think which service?’ if you require medical help.
Our Emergency Departments (EDs) are extremely busy but especially during industrial action and bank holidays, so it is important to know which local health service to use and when. It will ensure that you will get the right help at the right time.
EDs are for genuinely life-threatening emergencies – for example chest pains or severe bleeding or burns. If you have a life-threatening illness or injury, please continue to dial 999.
If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, please visit www.111.nhs.uk. NHS 111 online is available to signpost people to the best option for their care needs. You can find out more about the services available on the Think Which Service website.
I hope you all manage to enjoy some free time with your friends and loved ones over the bank holiday weekend.
Finally, don’t forget that the Trust’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be taking place at 2.30pm on Wednesday 30 August at the Shropshire Education and Conference Centre, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Information about the work of the Trust during 2022/23 will be shared at the AGM, as well as plans for the future.
If you would like to attend, please send an email to sath.trustboardsecretary@nhs.net with your name and organisation (if applicable).