Fairfield General Hospital in Bury to extend A&E facilities

Preparations for the expansion are underway at the Rochdale Old Road site, which will see the improvement work taking place over two years.

These include plans for a new patient transfer area for ambulances and rapid assessment bays, an increase in the number of resuscitation units, as well as more major injuries’ cubicles and mental health suites.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, has been approached about how much money the work will cost.

But it has previously been reported that once the facility is built, the proposed new facility will cost £2.8m and will treat around 30,000 patients per year, up from the current 17,000 urgent care patients.

The current A&E has been described as small and overcrowded with an improved facility set to alleviate pressure.

The A&E department will remain open during the work.

A temporary isolation tent has been stationed at the site.

Bury Care Organisation chief officer Jo Fawcus said: “I am delighted to see this improvement in our A&E get underway for the benefit of our patients, our staff and our local population.

The entrance to Fairfield General Hospital A&E (Image: Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust)

“Although it will take time to complete, A&E will remain open throughout and we’ll of course make every effort to ensure as little inconvenience and disruption to patients and visitors as possible.”

Meanwhile the trust has reminded patients to make sure they only go to the A&E if they need to.

A&E departments care for patients who have life-threatening illnesses or accidents.

For non-life threatening conditions, people should continue to first contact NHS 111 online or call the NHS 111 helpline.

In a medical or mental health emergency where someone is seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk, call 999.

Find information and advice on a range of illnesses and ailments by visiting the NHS at https://orlo.uk/DjExO.