Focus groups have been working with the teams involved in the construction of the new Emergency Department and Acute Medical Unit at Walsall Manor Hospital to ensure the views of patients are taken on board.

Healthwatch Walsall supported the sessions earlier this year to include engagement with groups of:

Children and Young People

Patients with physical disability, a Learning Disability or complex needs

Deaf and hearing impaired patients

Blind and visually Impaired patients

Debbie White, Senior Project Manager for the Emergency Department and Acute Care New Build, said: “These sessions were invaluable and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust would like to thank everyone who contributed to the discussions that developed as a result and Healthwatch for supporting this approach.

“We spoke about wayfinding, clinical pathways, environments, signage and some of the design elements of this multi-million pound development and this helped us to gather lots of useful information. The ideas and suggestions have been – and are still being – worked through and we have involved our clinical colleagues here at the Trust to ensure the relevant teams are sighted on the feedback gained.

“The exterior of the building is still under construction but when the project progresses to the interior phase we are hoping to go back to members of these groups and take up their offer of help with education and learning, as well as review their suggestions.

“We appreciate how important their local hospital is to the communities of Walsall and are committed to working with them to shape our services.”