Emergency care unit at King's Lynn hospital shortlisted for three awards

An emergency unit at Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been shortlisted for three awards in a government awards scheme.

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit has been shortlisted for the GPA’s Smarter Working Awards, which recognises transformation programmes in government-owned workplaces.

The SDEC was launched to help reduce pressure on the trust’s Emergency Department by streamlining the initial assessment and admission of patients, enabling them to get the treatment they need quickly.

Chief executive Caroline Shaw said: “We are so proud of our amazing SDEC team for being shortlisted for three Smarter Working Awards.

“Despite that the unit has only been open for a short time, the importance of this service is clear to see.

“The unit is open 18 hours a day and sees an average of 60 patients daily. It helps relieve the pressure on our Emergency Department and the ambulance service, providing a fast service with short assessment times. Patients who use this service are often discharged quickly without a prolonged stay in hospital.”

Mrs Shaw said they are “excited to see what’s in store” for the future of the unit.

“I want to say a huge thank you to each and every member of our staff for making the SDEC such a success," she added.

SDEC is up against other workplaces such as borough councils, police forces, the Ministry of Defence and other NHS employers in three categories: Efficiency in the Property Portfolio, Best Use of a Solution and the Special Recognition categories.

Debra Longmuir, matron for Acute Medicine said: “Over the last three years, we have run many pilot exercises from RAB bays and assessment zones to generate the data needed to support the successful implementation of the new SDEC unit.

“I am so proud of the SDEC team for these well-deserved shortlistings, recognising the collaborative team working across Acute Medicine at the QEH.”

The awards are set to take place on November 26.