Big improvements coming to Whipps Cross
We are making big changes to improve our hospital over the next year. A total of £23 million is being spent to make our buildings safer and better for patients, visitors, and staff.
Work has now started in our A&E. We are changing the layout to help patients get care faster and more safely. The work will take about eight months and should be finished by March 2026.
While the work is going on, you might see some temporary changes to the layout. For most patients and visitors, the way you use A&E will stay the same and the appropirate signage will be in place as needed. We are working hard to keep any disruption to your care limited.
If there are any big changes, we will let you know in advance.
What will be better?
- Shorter waiting times that means patients will be seen quicker.
- Better spaces for treatment, fewer patients will be cared for in temporary areas.
- New areas within our emergency department (ED) opening soon:
- Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will move to the main entrance in August 2025 – the new UTC will be larger and better integrated with the other A&E services.
- A new Paediatric Clinical Decision Unit, co-located with the recently opened new Paediatric A&E, will open in autumn 2025 – this will provide better facilities for emergency treatment of children and compliments the £4m major refurbishment of the Acorn children’s ward completed earlier this year.
Other improvements
- Upgrading our A&E so it fits the needs of our patients better.
- We are also making upgrades to maternity and postnatal wards making them more modern and comfortable including more single rooms and air conditioning.
- We are creating more single patient rooms on our wards for better privacy and rest during recovery – contributing to an overall better patient experience.
- Providing better ventilation and air conditioning on six wards – over 250 bed spaces will have received new air conditioning by the end of this year.
Getting to the Hospital
Please be aware that Bridge Road will be closed while the ED improvement work is taking place. This is to help keep everyone safe. Please plan your journey before you come. There will be clear signs to help drivers and pedestrians find their way.