The £14 million re-development of the Emergency Department at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor is progressing well and the first phase of the re-development is likely to be completed early next year.

The re-development will create more capacity within the department, providing more treatment areas to deal with peaks in demand, while improving the environment for patients, staff and visitors alike.

The new development will benefit children

The construction team are currently working hard to complete the out-side of the building and forming the new ambulance drop off area. Staff in the department are now looking forward to seeing the removal of the canopy at the front of the building which will be removed before Christmas.

Dr Pete Williams, who is a consultant in paediatric emergency medicine at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Emergency Department, said: “The Emergency Department (ED) sees around 16,000 children a year and there is currently no separate waiting area for them.

“This new development is going to benefit children coming into the ED, the new build will provide a separate waiting area for children which will provide a more spacious and bright environment and will also make it a less traumatic experience for them visiting the ED. We are all very much looking forward to seeing the work completed.”

Despite a number of challenges, which are not uncommon with a project of this nature, the team has worked to overcome these and this first phase of the new development is scheduled for completion in mid-February, 2018.

Morale boost for staff

Emergency Department Doctor Nikki Sommers, has come up with a morale boosting idea for staff in the department during the difficult period of transition.

The staff are using an internal system called ‘Greatix’ to record a ‘thank you’ and send an acknowledgement to provide feedback to their colleagues for doing a great job.

Dr Nikki Sommers said: “We wanted to try and bring some positive feedback into the ED and help improve morale and congratulate our hard working staff on the great job they are doing each day.

“We’re helping spread love and positivity one ‘greatix’ at a time!”