Delivering safer, smarter emergency care
Over the past 18 months, the Emergency Department at Whipps Cross Hospital has been on a significant improvement journey to better serve the over 400,000 people in its catchment area across Waltham Forest and neighbouring communities.
Encouraging progress is now visible. Leadership has been strengthened, bringing clearer oversight and a stronger focus on patient care.
A range of changes is delivering safer, more consistent services, and the layout has been redesigned to improve patient flow and experience.
New approaches to assessing and treating patients, additional space, and clearer processes are enabling people to move through more quickly, including steps to reduce overcrowding in ambulance handover areas.
Completed in early 2026, this includes a larger, better-integrated Urgent Treatment Centre working more closely with A&E services. A new Paediatric Clinical Decision Unit has opened alongside the Paediatric Emergency Department, strengthening care for children and building on last year’s £4 million refurbishment of the Acorn children’s ward.
This is translating into real progress. More patients are being seen and treated within four hours (rising from 63% to 75% over the past year), and fewer people are waiting longer than 12 hours.
There has also been a significant reduction in patients being cared for in corridors, with many days now seeing none at all.
This work is not just about targets. Improving patient experience and supporting staff have remained central priorities, with investment in the workforce playing a key role.
Yesterday, we welcomed Calvin Bailey, local MP for Leyton and Wanstead, to Whipps Cross Hospital to meet with staff and show the progress made.
Praising the team for their commitment, he said: "I was proud to open the new Emergency Department facilities at Whipps Cross today. Alongside the investment in the building itself, what stood out was the strength of the team - dedicated staff from diverse backgrounds working closely together under huge pressure to care for local people. The new department is an important step forward for both patients and the staff who work tirelessly to support them.”
Amanjit Jhund, Chief Executive Officer at Whipps Cross Hospital, said: “I want to thank the team for their outstanding dedication and commitment to keeping the department running as smoothly as possible, despite the immense pressures they face.
“This has not been an easy journey. While there is more to do, Whipps Cross Emergency Department is becoming more stable, with stronger foundations in place, and we remain committed to continuous improvement.”
Read more