Before the Christmas period, the Same Day Emergency Care department welcomed colleagues into its new home, located close to the Emergency Department. Opening on the 22 December 2025, the SDEC marked an important milestone for emergency care.
To recognise the opening of the newly redeveloped facilities and to thank colleagues for their patience and support during construction works, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) paid a special visit to the emergency care building on the same day it opened, offering support for colleagues transitioning to their new clinical space.
RRT is a volunteer-led charity made up of members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The group delivers hope and relief to those in need, from serving food and drinks during major incidents to supporting those affected by natural disasters. In recent years, they have also supported colleagues at DBTH through similar initiatives, offering refreshments and encouragement during particularly busy or challenging periods.
During their visit, RRT offered festive treats, including mince pies and hot drinks, alongside warm messages of support to colleagues working across the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care, Minor Injuries Unit and Children’s Assessment Unit. With cases of flu and other seasonal illnesses particularly high this winter, the visit provided a welcome morale boost as teams prepare for what is traditionally one of the busiest times of year for emergency care services.
Mike Johnston from the Rapid Relief Team said: “We are honoured to support our crucial healthcare workers in what can be a very demanding time of year. Our charity is all about ensuring emergency services feel supported as they care for us all, and we hope these gestures help staff feel appreciated.”
Neil Cresswell, Service Manager for the Emergency Department, said: “Everyone has pulled together to get Same Day Emergency Care and Minor Injuries Unit up and running in our new home after working from temporary areas for the past four months. It’s wonderful to finally have a base where we can all work together cohesively. Having these services operating from the same area will help simplify the patient pathway and reduce the need for patients to move around the department unnecessarily.”
The Same Day Emergency Care service brings together medical and surgical pathways, allowing patients to receive rapid assessment and treatment and, where appropriate, avoid an overnight hospital stay.
The Minor Injuries Unit continues to ensure patients with less serious conditions are seen and treated efficiently, while local families benefit from the increased observations available within the Children’s Assessment Unit, so their young ones can receive care closer to home.
Joanna Stedman, Divisional Nurse for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “SDEC and Minor Injuries provide rapid assessment and treatment for a range of urgent conditions without the need for admission. Patients are triaged to the service based on their needs, with access through the Emergency Department entrance. The co-location of these services supports better patient flow and ensures people are seen in the most appropriate place for their care.”
Jac Crossland, Matron for Urgent and Emergency Care and AMU at Bassetlaw, said: “The winter period is traditionally very busy for emergency services. Simple steps such as planning repeat prescriptions early, using NHS 111 online for advice and keeping essential medicines at home can help prevent unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department. Being prepared means our teams can focus on those who need us most.”
These new services complete a major programme of investment in emergency care at Bassetlaw Hospital, following the earlier opening of the new Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and Children’s Assessment Unit earlier this year. More recently, the Medical Imaging service has also been upgraded with the introduction of a new CT scanner in November. The additional scanner improves efficiency and resilience, ensuring continuity of service during maintenance of existing equipment and reducing the need for patients to travel to Doncaster Royal Infirmary for scans.
Further improvement schemes are set to begin in the new year, reflecting the Trust’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality care in modern, fit-for-purpose environments for patients across the region.
To keep up to date with the latest developments across Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, and to find out more about emergency care services in the area, visit www.dbth.nhs.uk.