WORK has begun on a new multi-million pound temporary unit at a county hospital.

The new clinical admissions unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital will free up emergency department space and reduce pressure on staff, hospital bosses say.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has received an extra £8 million capital funding from NHS England and Improvement to create the 30-place short stay unit.

The new temporary unit will be in an unoccupied area on the first floor of Worcestershire Oncology Centre and the aim is for the unit to be built and ready to receive patients before the end of February.

Paul Brennan, deputy chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has been fortunate to receive a significant amount of national funding to support the efforts of our health and care teams who are working incredibly hard to care for patients in need of urgent and emergency care.

"We are looking forward to the new Clinical Admissions Unit opening to further support these efforts and help us ensure patients receive safe and timely care.

"Additionally, plans to transform urgent and emergency care services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital (WRH) – which will see the relocation and expansion of the hospital’s emergency department, medical assessment unit and ambulatory emergency care hosting a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services - are already well underway, with a plan to be fully operational by the end of 2022."

With the work getting underway, the hospital trust has also reminded people they can do their bit to relieve pressure on the NHS by getting their Covid and flu vaccines and choosing the right services properly for their needs.

People feeling ill are reminded to choose wisely between their local pharmacy, GPs, Minor Injuries Units and NHS111, and only use the Emergency Departments for the most serious illness and injuries.