Work completed on expansion to Emergency Department waiting room at University Hospital

An expansion to significantly increase the size of the adult Emergency Department (ED) waiting room at University Hospital, Coventry, has been completed.

Initiated by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust as a response to feedback from patients and stakeholders, the renovation has increased capacity from 47 seats to 74, adding to the 40-plus spaces available in the Minor Injuries Unit waiting room.

A new consultation room has also been added where blood tests can be taken and people can speak to clinicians in privacy.

Justine Richards, UHCW NHS Trust Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, said: “Both patients and visitors told us this was an area they wanted to see improved and as a Trust we are committed to listening to and acting upon what people tell us.

“I would like to thank staff, patients and visitors for their patience and co-operation while the work has been taking place.

“People coming to our Emergency Department are in life-threatening situations and we want them to receive the best possible care and patient experience.”

Building work was phased to ensure care was not disrupted, with new flooring, lighting and ceiling installed. Other changes have seen the reception desk removed and replaced, as well as alterations to back offices.

UHCW is home to one of the largest trauma centres in the country with more than 270,000 ED visits each year.

The refurbishment was carried out in partnership with our facilities management service provider The Coventry and Rugby Hospital Company PLC and follows on from a £15milion revamp of treatment areas that was completed in November 2023.