It's now open and the ribbon was snipped. Yet as everyone in the NHS knows, projects like this take time, teamwork, dedication to completion and energy.

Opening it yesterday, our CEO  Owen Williams, said: " It shows we are good at adapting to change. This shows we are good at generating ideas and the unit is making a difference to our patients already. "

Here Sister Kate Crowther explains the story of our new Ambulatory Assessment unit in her own words.....

"What was a vision over 18 months ago has now turned to reality!

"The ambulatory assessment unit has been on quite a journey which, at times has been challenging. What started as a four bedded bay on the acute medical unit housing a few chairs and managing a handful of patients on a weekly basis has now grown into an independent unit with increasing numbers of patients daily.

"The change has happened through true determination and passion of the nursing staff assisted by the medical teams who go above and beyond on a daily basis to ensure the patient experience is the best it can be.  Our nursing team has grown and bonded, we started with one HCA and now have an amazing team of 11 staff who are all there to achieve one common goal – positive patient experience.

"It is a true pleasure working with an amazing team and being part of the journey from the beginning, it will continue to grow and this is only possible with the wonderful support from management and Exec teams that have supported us thus far.  So, a big thank you and we will continue to do our best for the patients in the ambulatory assessment unit with smiles and passion."

The opening  coincided with   national Acute Medicine Awareness Week.

Colleagues at CRH had stands promotiong acute medicine awareness in the entrance and also staged a bun sale. Centre piece was a magnificent cake baked by Dr Sue Crossland.

Pictired attached are Advanced clinical practitioner Debra Adam and MAU Sister Jodie Spencer with the special cake and assistant practitioners Natasha Swallow and Christine Mitchell.