3. Acute Medical Unit (AMU)

Acute Medical Unit (AMU)

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Key Info

Client

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Location

Blackburn

Value

£12m

Completion Date

September 2020

What We Did

Previously, the Trust treated acute medical emergency admissions within two Acute Medical Units (AMU's) split in two locations on the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital site. 

This new modern extension replaces the existing AMU “B” at Blackburn Hospital and is designed to improve current waiting times and congestion in the A&E department.  It also frees up space within the existing hospital to allow for the ongoing refurbishment of existing wards. 

The new accommodation co-locates the existing Emergency Department, AMU ‘A’ , the AECU (Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit) as well as the main Hospital Street, improving operational issues and the patient’s journey, ensuring ease of transfer from departments, delivering maximum clinical efficiencies.

Operational 24 hours a day, the new 2 storey building extends the AMU service provision for the Hospital.  Located on the first floor, the new integrated AMU accommodates 73 beds in total, served by two bridge links to the main hospital. Bed bays are arranged around the perimeter of the building maximising natural daylight and allowing good sight lines for staff.  Further accommodation and facilities include:

  • Front of house reception
  • 6 no. bed bays
  • 10 high-observation beds to provide higher dependency support
  • Staff education facilities
  • Dedicated inpatient pharmacy service
  • MDT (Multidisciplinary team)
  • Staff Support
  • Facilities Management
  • Quiet Room 
  • Plant, circulation & storage

Designs were developed with clinical engagement and user group workshops as well as patient and public consultations.