We have opened a new unit to care for patients arriving via ambulance into our A&E department  at HRI.

The room - a Rapid Assessment Unit - has been created in the former plaster room in the ED. Around 25% of our patients arrive by ambulance and the room gives us an opportunity to provide them with an assessment on arrival.

This also means ambulance crews can spend more time on the road and less time waiting with their patients.

Clinical lead for A&E, Consultant  Dr Mark Davies,  front, said: "This additional dedicated space will enable us to receive patienst from Yorkshire Ambulance colleagues in a more timely manner. As well as improving the service to patients it will help YAS respond to the next emergency."

Sister Stacey Cartwright said the early signs  had been very promising. She said: " All the team have taken to it and it is working well for our patients. "

Previously patients arriving in ambulances had to wait for triage in the  general A&E waiting room -  unless they were obvious emergencies.

The room has taken two months of planning and a big thanks to estates colleagues - also pictured - for helping to create it.