New Dartmoor building is progressing at rapid pace
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust are making great progress on the construction of the Dartmoor Building which will be the new home for a number of services the hospital provides including a new Urgent Treatment Centre and the relocation of the Fracture Clinic.
Dartmoor building will be located on the Northwest quadrant of the hospital, between Rowans house and the multi-storey carpark and the steel frame can already be seen from Derriford Roundabout.
The construction of Dartmoor building is part of a journey to redevelop our healthcare estate and free up space in the main hospital for the much needed Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, a purpose built facility creating space to care for the sickest of patients. Enabling works are already progressing for this longer term project.
Dr Anne Hicks, Consultant in Emergency Medicine said: “The steel frame has risen from the ground at rapid pace and we are working hard to ensure that the vital services the Dartmoor building will house are ready for its opening early 2025”.
“The new Urgent Treatment Centre will be in addition to the Cumberland Centre in Devonport, and minor injury units in Tavistock and Kingsbridge and will give patients a choice of where to visit when they have a minor illness or injury. This increased capacity will ease the pressure on our Emergency Department, enabling emergency medicine specialists to focus on those patients who are seriously unwell”.
The Urgent Treatment Centre will be open 8am – 8pm, seven days per week to treat you if you have an injury which is not life-threatening, but still requires urgent treatment.
You will not need to pre-book an appointment as an Urgent Treatment Centre is a drop-in service.
A team of nurse practitioners who have undertaken specialist training will be able to assess, diagnose and treat patients of all ages.
Problems that can be treated
Examples of the problems that can be seen in an Urgent Treatment Centre:
· Cuts - we can use glue, steristrips (paper stitches) or sutures to close wounds
· Small burns or scalds
· Bites and stings
· Sprains and certain fractures (upper and lower limbs)
· Minor head injuries
· Infected wounds
· Foreign bodies in eyes
We will keep you updated as we continue to bring this important new healthcare facility to life.
As we come into the autumn and winter season, whatever the problem, when you need medical care there’s only one number to remember. Get straight to the help you need. Just think 111 first. Contact the NHS 111 service by phone or online www.111.nhs.uk and visit the Stay Well pages of our website for more information about choosing the right service. Stay Well this Winter | University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk)
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