Plans to refurbish Tameside Hospital's accident and emergency department have been granted approval.

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust had applied to the council to design its existing A&E to provide a ‘clinically efficient department’ which would improve flow through the hospital.

The trust says it is aspiring to create a ‘landmark design’ for the emergency department, which combines a ‘striking and attractive appearance’ with a ‘safe and efficient working environment for the clinical teams’.

The plans, which have now been approved by the authority, will see a new rapid assessment and treatment facility and a new paediatric zone created.

“All the above clinical areas have been designed to provide clinically safe and effective treatment spaces which will greatly improve the patient outcomes at Tameside District General Hospital,” the supporting design document states.

The proposals also include a larger waiting room with additional triage facilities.

There would also be an increase in ambulance parking bays from two to four, which would provide access from the rear of ambulances into the ‘blue light’ entrance of the emergency department.

Currently the ambulance drop off bay is served by a single lay-by with a covered canopy that limits drop-off to one vehicle at a time.

“The time taken for the patient to be handed over to hospital staff and then for the ambulance to vacate the lay-by is causing significant issues for following emergency arrivals,” the planning documents add.

“This has resulted in ambulance queuing on Hartshead Close and patients being transferred a greater distance to the blue light entrance.

“The remodelling of the A&E department is being undertaken to provide improved clinical facilities and create efficiencies in the delivery of emergency care at Tameside District General Hospital.”

The architects say that a new facade will be created at the front of the building to allow for more natural light to enter, and larger waiting rooms will also allow for social distancing to be carried out in the department.

Permission has now been granted for the development by the council, which must be carried out in the next three years.

The images show how the revamped Accident and Emergency department at Tameside Hospital would look. Credit: Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.