South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne welcomes the new ambulance hub commissioned recently at Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, which aims to enhance patient care and streamline services.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has successfully secured £1.2 million to establish this freestanding facility adjacent to the Emergency Department. Since opening in April 2023, the ambulance hub has provided eight spaces for efficient patient offloading and assessment, reducing handover delays for patients arriving by ambulance at A&E.

To further enhance patient flow, an additional £114,000 has been secured to expand the Discharge Lounge, resulting in the creation of eight extra spaces at Princess Royal Hospital. These lounges are dedicated to patients awaiting discharge who require medication or transportation, consequently alleviating pressure on beds and reducing waiting times for admissions to the hospital.

Commenting, Philip Dunne said,

“I am delighted that this ambulance hub at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford has been established. This substantial investment of £1.2 million will enhance patients' experiences and improve their access to emergency care. The hub's close proximity to the Emergency Department and its eight dedicated spaces will enable efficient offloading and assessment of patients, thereby reducing handover delays. This, in turn, will allow ambulance response times to be improved as areas can be released more quickly for their next assignment.

“In addition, the creation of a new Discharge Lounge, with an investment of £114,000, will also facilitate the smooth flow of patients through the hospital. This will help free up beds and reduce waiting times for patients awaiting admission.”