A new unit has been opened at The Princess Alexandra Hospital to ease the burden of unnecessary admissions to the emergency departments.

However, the new Adult Assessment Unit, which opened on Saturday, January, 16, will initially bolster the hospital's pandemic response and be used to provide a socially-distanced care space for patients who do not have Covid-19.

When coronavirus related admissions fall, the two-storey extension adjacent to the emergency department at the front of the hospital will be used as a rapid assessment unit.

The purpose of the unit will be to reduce unnecessary admissions to the hospitals and ensure a shorter stay for those who are admitted by processing patients with minor injuries and illnesses quickly and efficiently.

Stephanie Lawton, chief operating officer, at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We are dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of our patients and enhancing patient flow through the hospital.

“Opening the Adult Assessment Unit is a fantastic milestone in our ongoing work to continually improve patient experience. Initially, the space will provide an additional facility for us to care for patients who do not have Covid-19, releasing capacity across other areas of the hospital.

“Thank you to all of the teams who have been involved in this extremely important project.”

The development will come as a boost to the Harlow hospital, which currently boasts 414 general and acute beds, ahead of the planned building of a whole new hospital, moving from its current town centre location to a greenfield site close by.