New short stay unit supporting ED patients at Daisy Hill Hospital

By Staff Reporter
Published 3rd May 2024, 15:57 BST
A new short stay unit at Daisy Hill Hospital is supporting patients attending the emergency department who do not need an inpatient admission. Some of the ED team who are managing the short stay unit: Mo Oozeerally, Health Care Assistant, Rosaleen McKevitt Domestic Assistant, Denise Smyth, Admin Support, Elaine Meade, Domestic Assistant, Aidan Brogan, Physician Associate, Niamh Burns Clinical Sister, Lisa Small, Ward Manager, Eve Doran, Staff Nurse, Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist and Dr Paul Webster, ED Consultant.A new short stay unit at Daisy Hill Hospital is supporting patients attending the emergency department who do not need an inpatient admission. Some of the ED team who are managing the short stay unit: Mo Oozeerally, Health Care Assistant, Rosaleen McKevitt Domestic Assistant, Denise Smyth, Admin Support, Elaine Meade, Domestic Assistant, Aidan Brogan, Physician Associate, Niamh Burns Clinical Sister, Lisa Small, Ward Manager, Eve Doran, Staff Nurse, Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist and Dr Paul Webster, ED Consultant.
A new short stay unit at Daisy Hill Hospital is supporting patients attending the emergency department who do not need an inpatient admission. Some of the ED team who are managing the short stay unit: Mo Oozeerally, Health Care Assistant, Rosaleen McKevitt Domestic Assistant, Denise Smyth, Admin Support, Elaine Meade, Domestic Assistant, Aidan Brogan, Physician Associate, Niamh Burns Clinical Sister, Lisa Small, Ward Manager, Eve Doran, Staff Nurse, Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist and Dr Paul Webster, ED Consultant.
A new short stay unit at Daisy Hill Hospital is supporting patients attending the emergency department who do not need an inpatient admission.

Located next to the ED, the unit, offers a stay of up to 24 hours for those patients requiring observation or treatment to support discharge home or referral to community support. It opened in October, initially with four beds and can now accommodate up to eight patients.

The short stay unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is staffed by the ED team of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacy, admin and support services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Director of Medicine and Unscheduled Care for the Southern Trust, Trudy Reid, welcomed the latest development introduced as part of the stabilisation plans for acute inpatient medicine at Daisy Hill.

Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist.Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist.
Danielle Monaghan, Occupational Therapist.

“With growing demand on hospitals, we are keen to develop more same day emergency care services, to help those who do not need admission to an inpatient ward, receive the most appropriate, best quality care, in the right place,” she said.

"We know that most people want to avoid a hospital admission and be cared for in the right place for their care needs.

“The addition of the short stay unit allows patients to receive same day emergency care and is one of the many ways the Trust is working to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time for patients. This new service and clinical area in the ED will free space for those patients who need immediate acute emergency care and also helps to prioritise inpatient beds for the sickest patients, aiming to reduce waiting times, avoid unnecessary admissions and improve overall experience and outcomes for everyone.”

Phone First

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Student Nurse Molly and Clinical Sister Niamh Burns.Student Nurse Molly and Clinical Sister Niamh Burns.
Student Nurse Molly and Clinical Sister Niamh Burns.

The team are always keen to remind patients with urgent, however not life threatening symptoms, to ‘Phone First’ before attending the emergency departments or minor injuries unit services at Daisy Hill, Craigavon Area or South Tyrone hospitals.

Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm (except bank holidays) Tel: 0300 123 3 111 Text relay: 18001 0300 123 3 111 or use the ‘Interpreter Now’ app

Some patients will receive advice, or be directed to a community pharmacist, their own GP or another suitable service. Those who need urgent assessment or treatment may receive an appointment at the Urgent Care Centre or Minor Injuries Unit service. Those who do need to attend ED will be given a referral code.

If you think the symptoms are potentially critical, like a heart attack, stroke, or major trauma, do not delay in phoning an ambulance or getting the patient to the nearest ED if you can.

Related topics:MedicineUnscheduled CareDaisy Hill