Green light for multi-million-pound boost for Croydon’s sickest patients
Building is to begin on a multi-million-pound makeover for one of London’s hardest hit critical care units in the COVID-19 pandemic, it was confirmed today.
The new £14.7 million refurbishment at Croydon University Hospital will increase the size of the unit by half, creating 22 intensive care and high dependency beds to care for the most seriously ill and injured.
The 18-month major project will provide state-of-the-art facilities and more privacy and dignity for patients receiving life-dependent care, with en-suite facilities, quiet rooms and waiting areas to support families in their local hospital at some of the most difficult times in their lives.
After two years of meticulous planning following the government’s approval for funding, the final green light has been given on the ambitious plans. Building is expected to begin in the Autumn with the new facility opening in 2023.
Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive and Place Based Leader for Health at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, said:
“Our intensive care team have been at the heart of our COVID response in Croydon, caring for extremely unwell patients around-the-clock, and often for months at a time as we try to help people beat this virus and care for other serious illnesses and injuries. The pace has been relentless and the arrival of this announcement could not be better timed.
“With more beds, we will be able to make sure more patients can receive highly specialist intensive care they need close to where they live, in a much more modern and comforting environment that our patients – and staff – deserve.”
Originally built in the 1980s, Croydon has outgrown its current critical care unit with regular maintenance to make sure it meets essential requirements. The planned new facility will transform the environment, increasing the number of permanent intensive care and high dependent beds from 15 to 22, with the flexibility to respond to surges in demand.
The rebuild will also enhance the hospital facilities for stroke patients which are situated close to the current critical care unit.
The new build is the latest is a long list of extensive redevelopments in Croydon University Hospital:
- In 2018, the Trust opened a new £21 million Emergency Department, designed by its own doctors and nurses, to give their patients the highest standards privacy and care.
- In 2020, a “hospital within a hospital” for non-COVID care. With restricted access to other parts of the hospital and coronavirus screening of patients and staff, the CEC has helped to reduce delays of patients waiting for planned care with 10,000 people in the past twelve months to tackle the COVID backlogs. A second elective centre at the Trust’s Purley War Memorial Hospital was opened a year later for patients needing only a local anaesthetic.
- In 2022, a new Paediatric Integrated Unit (PIU) is due to open. The £6 million development will include the addition of a children’s critical care unit and children’s cancer unit, dedicated wards and improved family spaces and relaxation rooms.
The children’s cancer unit is being supported by Chartwell Cancer Trust, who have joined forces with the NHS to raise £750,000 towards the new facility, transforming care for children, young people and their families who are dealing with cancer and the possibility of spending up to two years in treatment. For more information about the appeal, visit the Croydon Health Services website.
Background
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides hospital and community services in the borough. The Trust employs more than 3,800 staff and provides integrated NHS services to care for people at home, in schools, and health clinics across the borough. The Trust runs two hospitals in the north and south of the borough: Croydon University Hospital is home to the borough’s new £21million Emergency Department and 24/7 maternity services, including a labour ward, midwifery-led birth centre and the Crocus home birthing team. There are also ophthalmology services run by Moorfields Eye Hospital. Purley War Memorial Hospital in the south of the borough offers outpatient care, including diagnostic services, physiotherapy, alongside an onsite GP surgery.
The Trust’s emergency care doctors and nurses have teamed up with local GPs to run a seamless network of urgent care services across the borough, including booked appointments with a GP available seven days a week. The Trust’s experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and its Children’s Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital.