EMERGENCY departments and minor injury units in Wales are to get share of £2.7m to enhance environments for better patient and staff experience.

The split funding, from the Welsh Government, will support different proposals submitted by every health board in Wales for wide ranging matters such as:

  • Improved accessibility
  • Better access to information
  • Infection prevention and control measures
  • Enhanced safety and security
  • Adaptations to better utilise space and general estate improvements

The investment will see the creation of waiting areas and an increased number of assessment and treatment cubicles - helping to boost Emergency Department and Minor Injury Unit capacity by providing more space and reducing overcrowding - enabling patients to receive timely care.

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services, said: "We received such positive feedback from both staff and patients following our investments and upgrades for Emergency Departments and Minor Injury units last year. We want to continue this to support improving patient and staff care.

"Our £2.7 million investment should enhance both patients’ and staff experience in waiting rooms, and when accessing or providing care and treatment throughout the departments.

"Our Emergency Departments are always open and ready to support those who have life-threatening and emergency conditions.

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"But we can all play a role in helping to reduce some pressure on our emergency services, by considering whether we need to go to an Emergency Department, or whether other options, like using the dedicated Minor Injury Units or free NHS 111 Wales service and community pharmacists, might provide quicker treatment options for us."

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, has written to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Ms Morgan to ask that consideration be given to investing some of the £2.7m made available to improve emergency departments and minor injury units at Llandudno Minor Injury Unit.

Ms Finch-Saunders said: "“I wish to thank all the team at Llandudno Hospital.  They provide an exceptional service that I am proud to champion in the Welsh Parliament.

“So far, our positive campaign has secured a series of measures such as a theatre being re-opened, a transition ward being trialled, a stroke unit being opened, an Orthopaedic Minor Operations Room opened, and £30m for a new Orthopaedic Hub.

“I have always been clear with the Health Board and Welsh Government that the major pressure on A&E in both Gwynedd and Glan Clwyd could be reduced if the range of conditions treated at Llandudno MIU, and its opening times, were extended. This is now a perfect opportunity to secure funding to help make those changes a reality.

“98.9 per cent of patients spent less than four hours at Llandudno MIU in November 2023. We should be building on that brilliance.”

Adele Gittoes, BCUHB’s interim executive director of operations, said: “We appreciate any extra financial backing from Welsh Government, which helps our emergency departments and minor injuries units.

“Our staff continue to do an incredible job of looking after patients in extremely pressurised situations. So any funding which helps them provide our patients with the best possible environments is welcomed.”