New AAU for Airedale Hospital

Airedale Hospital's new Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) welcomed its first patients this week.

Designed and delivered by P+HS Architects the new facility provides 48 new acute assessment beds as well as ground floor pathology services.

The new building is linked to the existing Hospital Emergency Department and was constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine under the P21+ framework. The project has been delivered on time and budget and defect free at handover.

Designed to ease patient flow, cut waiting times and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, the new two storey building will cater for patients arriving directly from the adjacent Emergency Department or referred by GPs for urgent care. Following initial assessment patients will either be treated and discharged or admitted to a specialist ward.

In addition to a spacious, welcoming reception area and quiet room, the AAU includes eight bays, each with five beds, eight single en-suite bedrooms, an Ambulatory Care Lounge and associated staff facilities. Working closely alongside the Trust Estates team the project maximises spatial and staffing efficiencies with use of sliding glass screens and efficient bed layouts.

Congratulations to all involved: Airedale Hospital, Sir Robert McAlpine, CAD21,Gleeds and Alan Wood & Partners.