Big changes are in store for accident and emergency patients in York.

The result should be more pleasant and safer surroundings for both staff and patients, though both will have to adjust to new arrangements during six to seven months of building work.

The £2 million revamp of York District Hospital's accident and emergency department will start in April, when the existing department and neighbouring orthopaedics clinic will be extended into the current staff car park, and their internal layout will be completely altered.

Security will be enhanced through improved CCTV monitoring and the reception area being placed in a more central position.

Another upgrade will be to the resuscitation area, which currently has one bay at the end of a corridor. In the new scheme there will be three bays, with easier access for ambulances, and better equipment.

"It's going to be a much better arrangement," said David Ashton, directorate manager in charge of the department.

The improvements - the first major revamp in accident and emergency since the 1970s - will also include a speedier link between the department's X-ray area and the main hospital X-ray department, a separate children's treatment area, and upgraded computer equipment.

The accident and emergency department will be able to extend into the orthopaedics clinic in the event of a major emergency.

"I think from a patient's and staff perspective it's going to give an airier feel to it, a more comfortable and pleasant environment, a better environment to work in, and it's going to be safer," said Mr Ashton.

During the building work, until October or November, the accident and emergency department and the orthopaedics clinic will be moved into an adjacent building - on the left if one faces the department from the car park.

In that period "walking wounded" attending the department will use an entrance to the left of the present main door, involving a slightly longer walk to the reception and waiting area.

Mr Ashton said there would be some inconvenience, for example from noise during the work, though he thought the biggest impact would be reduced X-ray services in the department, with more patients being taken to the main X-ray area.

Even so Mr Ashton was looking forward to the transformation. "The staff are prepared for the pain of the change because they know the benefits to come," he said.

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