‘Extension & Internal Alterations’ For Wrexham Maelor A&E After ‘Steady Increase’ In Use

Wrexham’s Accident and Emergency Department could soon be extended and altered internally, if plans put forward are granted.

In a planning application submitted to Wrexham Council it has been proposed that a small extension is added to Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.

The extension would allow for the creation of a new entrance for the unit, along with internal changes to the layout of the department. This would see integration between the Emergency Department and the GP Out of Hours Service – which is currently separated by the ‘main wait area’ and deemed inefficient.

The application also comes as a result of a ‘steady increase of footfall’ to the department since opening.

Details provided within the planning documents note that the changes would consist of an ‘increase in the number of seats in the waiting area to cater for the increase in numbers visiting the department’.

The proposals would also see the ‘formation’ of an additional three consulting rooms, which the planning documents state will ‘help to improve the throughput of patients’.

Further details about the proposals are provided in the application’s Design and Access Statement, which reads: “The principle of the design is to form a new entrance to the Emergency Department on the side of the building which will allow the main waiting area to be reconfigured, which will result in the Out of Hours area to be fully integrated with the department.

“The design will also allow additional seats within the waiting area and will allow the Out of Hours staff flexibility in utilising consulting rooms within the emergency department.

“This increased efficiency and increased seating numbers will help to cater for the increasing number of patients using the facilities.

“The new small extension will be in keeping with the existing building and will be formed with the existing flat roofed extension within the waiting area. The existing main entrance will be infilled under the existing flat roof with brickwork and windows to match the existing building.”

If approved these will be the first changes to have taken part in the department since 2008, when the facility was ‘substantially altered and extended’.

The application is expected to be considered by Wrexham Council’s Planning Committee at a later date.