Patients referred for same-day emergency care are benefiting from significant upgrades at Abingdon community hospital thanks to a £1.1 million refurbishment project funded by NHS England.

The hospital’s emergency multidisciplinary (EMU) unit provides rapid assessment and treatment for adults for urgent medical conditions on the same day, avoiding the need for an overnight hospital admission.

The unit does not provide walk-in or accident and emergency care, and patients are referred by their GP, community healthcare teams or the ambulance service enabling urgent community-based care to take place close to their home.

Commenting on the successful completion of the project, Oxford Health’s director for partnerships and neighbourhood healthcare, Sue Butt said:

“This refurbished unit is a fantastic example of how investment in local NHS services can directly improve the experience of patients and carers. By creating a more modern, accessible and spacious environment, we can assess and treat more people closer to home and help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

“I’m so proud of our staff, who continued to provide excellent care while the refurbishment was taking place. Thanks to their dedication and the support of our partners, we now have a facility that will serve the community for many years to come.”

Sarah Goldsack, Director of Performance for NHS England South East, said:

“Refurbishing Abingdon’s emergency multidisciplinary unit is a fantastic example of how investment in modern, high-quality facilities is helping us deliver better care for patients closer to home. This upgraded unit will mean a more comfortable environment, faster assessments and a smoother experience for people who need urgent same day care — all without the disruption of an unnecessary hospital admission.

“Across the South East we are investing in improvements just like this, strengthening community-based services and ensuring staff have the right spaces and equipment to provide safe, timely care. The transformation at Abingdon shows what this investment can achieve: a modern, welcoming unit that supports patients, carers and staff, and helps keep people well in their own community.”

On site at the unit, a team of doctors, nurses and therapists work together to provide a comprehensive assessment, including tests and x-rays that may be needed. Whenever safe and appropriate, patients are diagnosed and treated on the same day so they can return home that evening, thus avoiding an unnecessary hospital admission.

The refurbishment works focussed on all aspects of the unit from access and clinical care space through to its infrastructure and areas that patients had highlighted would improve their experience of care by way of feedback through Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

This included expanding the unit’s capacity, making the building’s environment better for patients, their carers and staff alike, as well as improving general privacy and confidentiality.

The work included installing a new air flow system and roof repairs. An upgraded canopy was also installed to allow patients to be transferred smoothly to the x-ray service located next door.