They are regular visitors to the Department. The internal review highlighted excessive use of locums as one of the factors contributing to the continuing overspends. Training was improved with protected time for all medical staff and a new permanent SpR post approved. Three staff grade doctors have since been appointed providing better supervision for senior house officers. Their recommendations included soothing colours, new curved seating, removal of all the 'Do not' signs, more privacy for patients and separation of children from adult patients.
Screens now separate blue light ambulance arrivals from the waiting room.
It is no longer a place to avoid for staff or patients. Reduced transit time for non-admissions. The initiative is a good example of what clinical governance should mean at operational level. Structural change was achieved without new buildings and without much in the way of new staff. It was rebuilt from the inside by adapting facilities, developing existing staff roles and looking at the service from the patients' perspective.