Work has officially started on the expansion of the Emergency Department at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The newly appointed Chair of Oxford University Hospitals, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, joined members of staff from the Emergency Department for the official ground breaking on the Emergency Department extension.

The extension will provide a better use of space, more diagnostic equipment, and improved dignity and privacy for patients as well as improved turnaround times for ambulances. The new space will provide an extra nine bays for the immediate care of seriously ill patients. It will also include a paediatric resuscitation room and an isolation room with an adjacent CT scanner and control room as well as a nurses' bay and improved bereavement and relatives' rooms.

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As a part of the expansion project, six ambulances spaces will be created and a more efficient drop off point will be set up at the entrance of the new building.

Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, who started his new role as Chair of the Trust on Monday 1 April, taking over from Dame Fiona Caldicott, said: "This is a lovely way to start my time here, launching this improvement to patient services. Our community deserves an Emergency Department able to cope with the challenges of a growing, but also ageing population and this new build will help our staff to deliver excellent care. It is a significant building project with many complex elements, but on its completion, it will benefit the whole community."

Katie Mimpress, Matron of the Emergency Department said: "I am very pleased that the new facility will provide improved bereavement and relatives' rooms which will give families more privacy at an incredibly difficult time. A dedicated CT scanner will enable us to get the diagnosis of critically ill patients far more quickly."

The works are part of the Scape Group National Construction Major Works - UK framework. Scape is a public-sector organisation, dedicated to creating ongoing efficiency and social value via the built environment. This partnership provides a cost effective and collaborative approach whilst providing real benefit to the local community of Oxford through local supply chain delivery, enhanced community benefit and local engagement.