£47m Urgent and Emergency Care Centre Opens at Scarborough Hospital

The brand-new £47 million Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC) has officially opened its doors at Scarborough Hospital, marking the largest capital investment in the history of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

This state-of-the-art facility represents a major step forward in the way emergency care is delivered, bringing together emergency, same-day emergency, and acute medical services under one roof - along with vital diagnostics such as CT scanning.

Designed to provide faster, more coordinated care for some of the hospital’s most critically ill patients, the UECC offers a modern, patient-centred environment that will benefit both patients and staff alike.

The old Emergency Department closed at nine o'clock on Thursday with the new ED accepting patients from that time.

Built over three years, the two-storey building offers 3,120 square metres of space on each level - around a third larger than the former facilities. Urgent and emergency care is delivered on the ground floor, while the first floor houses a new 26-bed critical and enhanced care unit.

From patients with minor injuries to those with complex, multiple conditions, care will now be delivered by a single, multidisciplinary team - improving clinical outcomes, particularly for older and frail patients, by reducing delays and streamlining the care journey.

As part of the wider scheme, significant upgrades have also been made to the hospital’s infrastructure, including modernised electrical systems, ventilation, and drainage - vital improvements to ensure safe, efficient, and future-ready care.

Dr Ed Smith, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Deputy Medical Director, said: 

“This is the single most significant step change in patient and staff experience for the delivery of urgent and emergency care in Scarborough and the surrounding areas in our working lifetimes, and its importance cannot be overstated.

“This new centre will completely transform how we manage patients. Clinicians will be able to make quicker decisions, reduce waiting times, and keep people out of hospital when it’s safe to do so - while ensuring those who do need admission are cared for promptly and efficiently.”

Simon Morritt, Chief Executive of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: 

“I firmly believe this new facility represents genuine healthcare innovation for the people of Scarborough and the surrounding area. It will transform the experience of patients and staff, and provide a modern, fit-for-purpose environment for delivering the very best care.”

The Hospital Trust say the opening of the UECC marks "a new era for urgent and emergency care in the region, with thousands of patients set to benefit from faster, safer, and more joined-up care in the years ahead."

Ed Smith, ED Consultant, Deputy Medical Director, and Care Group Director Medicine, admits he wanted the challenge of improving a small hospital and to tackle a project improving health inequalities.

Although Ed admits the six-year build has been “tough” in many ways he is extremely proud of the new UECC.

He recalls: 

“It’s been tough, a strange experience in many ways.  

We got lucky with our timing as all the planning was done in the pandemic, so we had time to reflect and think about all the extra elements that will make this expansion so special.  It has been rewarding and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved.  As staff, we have all come together to make this happen.”

With the potential of the build to support significant operational benefits internally and for the wider community, Ed is looking forward to seeing firsthand how it will enhance patient care.

“We needed a building which enhanced urgent care as well as our emergency treatment.  The new model ensures patients get the best care at the best time as we are all under one roof, instead of being across the hospital.  The UECC will improve patient care, privacy and dignity, compliance, patient flow, staff experience, and provide additional capacity.

“The best part of the build, though, has been everyone’s positivity.  I have enjoyed the camaraderie and the can-do attitude of everyone in Scarborough - thank you all.”

Related Stories

• Boiler Issue Delays Opening of New Scarborough Urgent and Emergency Care Centre
• Scarborough's New Emergency Care Centre to Open in November
• Scarborough's New Urgent Care Centre to Open in September
• Scarborough Residents Invited for Tours of Hospital's New Urgent Care Centre
• Celebration as Scarborough's £47m Urgent and Emergency Care Centre Build Hits a New Milestone
• Green Light for New Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Scarborough Hospital