New Cardiology Same Day Emergency Care Unit already reducing inpatient admissions by over 25%
A new Cardiology Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit at East Surrey Hospital is already delivering positive results for patients, with some avoiding hospital admission altogether, others seeing significantly shorter stays and some receiving fast-tracked treatment.
The new service, which opened at the end of August and operates between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, is dedicated to caring for emergency patients with cardiology-related conditions who are referred from the Emergency Department (ED).
The unit is the next step in Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust's longer-term plans to expand its Same Day Emergency Care provision. The aim is to provide quicker access to specialist assessments and diagnostic testing by specialty doctors, reduce waiting times in the Emergency Department, and help more patients return home the same day.
In its first three weeks, the service has already shown encouraging results. Almost 80 patients presenting with cardiac-related conditions were assessed, treated and discharged within 24 hours, while reducing cardiology inpatient admissions by more than 25%. This is improving patient outcomes and experience, while ensuring hospital beds remain available for those who need them most.
The Cardiology Team at East Surrey Hospital.
The new service is also using early feedback from patients and staff to help refine the service as it develops to ensure it is as responsive and patient-focused as possible. For example, the service has already expanded to include all patients who attend ED with potential cardiac conditions - with the on-call Cardiology team referring patients onward to the SDEC as appropriate.
Dr Shrilla Banerjee, Consultant Cardiologist, said:
"It's been extremely encouraging to see the early results from our new Cardiology Same Day Emergency Care Unit in its first three weeks and demonstrates the difference specialist same day care can make for our patients. By providing rapid access to expert assessment and diagnostic testing, we can ensure more patients receive the care they need sooner - which can often improve recovery rates and reduce anxiety for those experiencing cardiac issues."
Alex Stamp, Chief Operating Officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
"We always strive to offer our patients the best possible care and improve their healthcare experience wherever we can, and I am really pleased to be able to bring innovative new services like this new unit to our local community. It's brilliant to see the difference it is already making to our patients by helping them access specialist cardiology care more quickly - reducing the number who need hospital admissions.
"Alongside our existing frailty and medical SDECs, we also hope it will improve the wider experience for those attending our Emergency Department - including reducing waiting times and supporting flow through our hospital for those who do need to be admitted."