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'Huge benefits': a crane begins the process of putting the AAU unit in place

The largest emergency care unit in the country was delivered to Watford General Hospital this morning.

The new 120-bed Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) will be linked to the existing Accident and Emergency department at the hospital, which is used by one third of Hertsmere patients.

Offering patients a more rapid assessment and diagnosis, the £12 million facility will ensure main hospital beds are not used unnecessarily.

Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, the AAU will include a pharmacy and two catheterisation laboratories offering angioplasty treatment for heart attack patients.

Diagnostic testing, such as x-ray, CT scans, ultrasound and blood tests will also now be more readily available around the clock.

Professor Graham Ramsay, medical director of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages the hospital, said: "The trust is very excited about the new AAU. I have personal experience of how this type of facility can radically improve the emergency service provided to patients.

"It is widely recognised that a patient should be seen from the beginning of their admission by a senior doctor, have appropriate investigations performed without delay and a diagnosis made quickly.

"The long-term effects of many serious conditions, such as strokes and heart attacks, can then be dramatically improved."

The building was delivered by road on Thursday morning in 150 steel-framed modular units.

It was built by a York-based firm and will be moved into position by cranes over a three-week period.

A trust spokeswoman said: "The trust chose this particular method of off-site construction to avoid as much inconvenience as possible to patients, visitors and staff as only the foundations need to be laid on the site prior to the delivery of the building.

"Unfortunately, disruption may be unavoidable at times during the delivery of the modules and the trust apologises in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

"We would like to emphasise the huge benefits that this new service will have for west Hertfordshire patients requiring emergency care in the future."

The new unit will open to patients later in the year.

10:19am Thursday 27th March 2008

Artist's impression: how the completed unit will look

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