THE new-look emergency department’s reception at Bradford Royal Infirmary has opened as part of the hospital’s £2 million refurbishment.

The latest phase, which opened yesterday, includes a new reception, patient assessment and waiting areas, alongside a four-bed rapid assessment bay for ambulance admissions.

Work on the site’s overall refurbishment started in November last year and is being carried out in four phases, to be completed in the autumn.

The first phase of the refurbishment project saw the creation of a new administration extension block to the area between emergency department (ED) and the old radiology department building, facing on to Duckworth Lane.

The next phase will create a new self-contained paediatric ED in the area which previously housed the old reception and patient waiting area.

The new unit is due for completion in November and will contain separate waiting and assessment areas, two new high dependency cubicles and a larger clinical work space.

A separate waiting area where all patients will go to wait for their results.

Ann Bannister, directorate manager for urgent care, said: “This is an exciting time for urgent and emergency care as the creation of the new ED will lead to an enhanced experience for patients who need our services at what can be a very traumatic time in their lives.

“This latest section of the project has been the most disruptive part of the build and I would thank everyone – from patients to staff – for their patience.

“I hope they will agree with me when I say that I think we have the start of a fantastic new facility for the people of Bradford.”

An average of 370 to 400 people are treated at BRI’s A&E department each day.

Dr Sue King, clinical lead for urgent care, said: “The new BRI emergency department has been designed with both patients and quality at its core and it’s great to see the new internal space opening up.

“This renovation ensures that we remain at the forefront of emergency medicine practice nationally.”