Colleagues at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) celebrated this exciting milestone with a ceremony to mark the occasion, with Jo White, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, officially declaring the building completed with a formal ribbon cutting.
The parliamentarian, joined by Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive, and Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board of DBTH, toured the Bassetlaw Emergency Department and Children’s Assessment Unit, gaining insight into the benefits the new development will offer local communities.
Other senior DBTH colleagues, including representatives from the Capital Planning Unit, key clinicians, and those involved in the construction and design, also toured the completed building. They had the opportunity to see the state-of-the-art facilities first-hand, including the new Emergency Department, Assessment and Treatment Centre, and Children’s Assessment Unit.
While this marks the end of the construction phase, it signals the start of the commissioning process, with emergency and paediatric services gradually transitioning into their new facilities in a phased approach.
The opening of services is expected to be completed in the coming months. In the meantime, local people are advised to attend existing services as usual.
To ensure a seamless transition, clinicians involved in the delivery of Urgent and Emergency Care and the Children’s Assessment Unit are working together with the Trust’s Capital Planning Unit to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and patient care standards remain the highest priority.
Suzy Brain England OBE, Chair of the Board at DBTH, said: “This milestone for the people of Worksop, Retford and surrounding areas would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many people involved in the planning, design and construction of this development.
“I want to extend my gratitude to Integrated Health Projects, Archus healthcare infrastructure specialists, P + HS Architects, Edge cost management, CAD21 and all other contractors who have helped bring this building to life.
“This building is so much more than bricks and mortar – it is an investment in the future of this community, which will have a lasting impact on those who use these services for generations to come.”
The new facility will provide a better layout, making it easier for healthcare colleagues to deliver care. The updated design, it is hoped, will help reduce waiting times and create a more positive experience for patients.
Jo White, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said: “It was my great pleasure to visit the new emergency village at Bassetlaw Hospital. This is a pivotal moment for the local area, bringing a brand-new state of the art emergency department to Bassetlaw and I am so pleased that we will also soon see the return of overnight paediatric care.”
The Children’s Assessment Unit will offer extended observation periods in paediatric care and reintroduces overnight stays, ensuring that children and their families can receive the necessary support closer to home, reducing stress during difficult times.
In addition, a new outdoor playground is being constructed alongside the unit, designed to provide young patients with a welcoming and safe environment during their hospital visits. The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity has been instrumental in funding this feature through the Bassetlaw Emergency Village Appeal, which has set a target of £100,000.
Whilst an incredible £30,000 has been raised so far, donations are still being sought to further fund the playground, along with other items that the appeal has selected to provide comfort and playtime opportunities for children, their families and other individuals receiving care.
The appeal has selected a wide range of items to be funded including new toys for waiting rooms and play areas, distraction tools in treatment rooms, TVs in patient bays and calming lightboxes to help those in distressing circumstances in resuscitation areas.
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at DBTH, said: “The completion of the construction phase marks the beginning of a new era for Bassetlaw Hospital. This facility will not only offer modern, purpose-built spaces for care but also acts as a visual representation of the Trust’s commitment to serving the people of Bassetlaw, ensuring we can continue to meet the growing needs of our local population.”
The Bassetlaw Emergency Village represents the culmination of years of planning, public consultation, and collaboration between DBTH, construction partners, and the local community. The completion of this modern facility highlights the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible care that will benefit patients and staff alike for generations to come.
For more information on how to support the Bassetlaw Emergency Village Appeal, visit the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity website at https://dbthcharity.co.uk/bassetlaw-appeal
