Work under way to create new Investigation and Intervention Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital

Work is well under way to make way for a new unit which will welcome patients from across our directorates this spring.

The Investigation and Intervention Unit (IIU) will replace the Medical Day Case Unit (MDCU).

It will carry out a number of treatments which currently happen on wards and departments, making a difference to staff across a wide range of areas.

This new department will enable patients to receive care in a dedicated facility, avoiding the need to use inpatient beds.

A bird's eye view of how a section of the unit will look, with beds, chairs and side rooms set up. 

The new bespoke space will treat adults and offer them an improved experience.

Examples of procedures it will offer include biopsies, drainage, tube insertions, varicose vein treatment, drains and angioplasty.

The unit will welcome patients who are treated by the following departments and release capacity in existing locations.

• Cardiology – B22
• Urology - D41
• Gastroenterology
• Respiratory – endoscopy activity
• Vascular – DOSA recovery
• Haematology – Phoenix Unit
• Ear, Nose and Throat – ward areas
• Gynaecology – ward areas
• General Surgery

The IIU is being built in the former Endoscopy Unit on B Floor.

Recruitment has already been launched so that it has its own team and so that its senior members can help steer the project as design work continues.

Rachel Baister has been appointed as the unit’s manager while recruitment is underway to expand its dedicated team and that there are opportunities which will offer staff a chance to apply for roles in this new unit.

Unit manager Rachael Baister and Matron Jayne Billings check out the new IIU.

Work is continuing to add other members to the team.

Staff may have seen builders’ cabins have been set up in the car park close to the Day of Surgery Admissions (DOSA) unit.

These are to support the work while it is being carried out.