Transforming Urgent and Emergency Care at Pinderfields Hospital

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Transforming Urgent and Emergency Care at Pinderfields Hospital

We’re making a major investment in patient care, having secured £9 million from NHS England to enhance our Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) services at Pinderfields Hospital.

This significant funding will enable the relocation of the Medical Same Day Emergency Care (MSDEC) unit, improving patient experience and easing pressure on the Emergency Department.

What changes are happening?
To make this possible:
  • Therapy and Psychological Services will move from Gate 3A to a fully refurbished Queen Elizabeth Therapies and Rehabilitation Centre (Queen Elizabeth House) near Pinderfields (Queen Elizabeth Road, Eastmoor, Wakefield, WF1 4AA)
  • Gynaecology services will move from Gate 10A to Gate 3A
  • MSDEC will relocate to Gate 10A, next to the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), forming part of a new Acute Medical Floor

 

Why is MSDEC moving?
Co-locating MSDEC with AMU will create an Acute Medical Floor, improving patient flow, reducing delays and enabling faster clinical decision-making. This supports our vision of an integrated Urgent and Emergency Care service, where patients receive the right care in the right place, first time. 

 
What is the Acute Receiving Unit (ARU)?

In line with national guidance, patients arriving via A&E will be assessed within a new Acute Receiving Unit (ARU), with rapid access to senior clinicians and a range of specialties. This will help streamline patient journeys and reduce unnecessary admissions.

From the ARU, patients will either:

  • be admitted to an acute medical ward, or
  • receive same-day treatment in MSDEC
 
What does this mean for patients and staff?
  • Patients: faster, safer care and clearer pathways
  • Staff: modern facilities and more efficient ways of working
  • The Trust: reduced pressure on A&E and improved alignment with national standards 

 

Maternity and gynaecology improvements

These changes also create opportunities to enhance maternity and gynaecology services:

  • Increased capacity in the Gynaecology Assessment Unit (GAU) and Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU)
  • Additional support for women experiencing hyperemesis
  • Antenatal day services will continue across all three sites (with changes at Pinderfields only)
  • Opportunity to develop a new Maternity Assessment Unit, providing more streamlined care
 
Timeline
Construction and refurbishment are expected to run throughout 2026, with service relocations planned for late 2026.