Worthing Hospital: MDCU Business Case & Ward Transition
The Challenge
The old MDCU at Worthing Hospital had reached the stage where further adaptation was not possible. The adaptations had led to a department that was inefficient in design, had no appropriate storage space and did not meet expected infrastructure standards. The old department also lacked key patient spaces such as a waiting room, drug preparation facilities, and an area for complementary therapies and Day Hospital services.
The objective of the redevelopment project was to improve patient safety and staff safety and experience; provide sufficient capacity to meet demand for the next ten years; and ensure new equipment was procured, where required, for the new unit.
Our Approach
Electrolite oversaw the business case development for the trust and once approved managed the decant to a temporary ward. We supported the operational commissioning of the unit once construction was complete. This included establishing a steering group to ensure the project stayed on track, was delivered on time and that all governance related to the business case process was fully managed.
Electrolite’s subject matter expertise supported the trust in devising a preferred option for the MDCU redevelopment through ongoing clinical engagement. We supported steering group meetings with architects and the capital projects team. This saw the redevelopment of the unit from an open plan space to one with three private treatments rooms (one with an en-suite).
The new unit offers a larger overall footprint for the service, with provision for up to 26 treatment spaces, 24 chairs and two beds. There are also a suite of new patient spaces created, including: side rooms, interview/consult rooms, a Macmillan room, a quiet room and a complementary therapy room. Overall, the new unit affords improved circulation and visibility for the clinical team, improved working conditions for staff and improved quality of care for patients.