In February 2010, Bedford Hospital opened the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU).
The main objective was to provide a dedicated space for rapid assessment, investigation, and treatment of patients with acute medical emergencies, allowing for better patient flow, quicker diagnosis, and optimised use of hospital resources by separating them from general wards and streamlining their care within a specialised environment.
When the unit opened, Dr Rajeev Kumar and Dr Sunil Krishnankutty were the only consultants with no dedicated junior support. Now, the unit is staffed by 11 acute consultants and around 30 resident doctors.
Dr Kumar said: “In 2010, Dr Krishnankutty and I were given with the task of setting up an Acute Medicine Unit and Acute Assessment Unit in Bedford Hospital. We have since incorporated general medicine wards, a dedicated Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit and cover all medical outliers and medical patients in escalation areas.
“We want to continue to improve patient care across our hospitals and have a number of transformation programmes currently ongoing within the division, including the construction of a new SDEC Unit.
“I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I’m looking forward to seeing what more we can accomplish over the next 15 years.”
Paul Tisi, Medical Director for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It’s fantastic to see how the Acute Assessment Unit has developed over the last 15 years. From opening with just two consultants to the incredible team who work there now, there’s so much to celebrate. The patient experience has drastically improved, and we’re able to see and treat patients more quickly, resulting in better patient outcomes.”