SIGNIFICANT enhancements to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester are one step closer after a charity appeal reached a significant milestone.

Dorset County Hospital Charity launched a £2.5 million emergency department and critical care appeal to make “significant enhancements” to the hospital’s new emergency department and critical care unit, with construction already started at the hospital.

The appeal has now reached its first major milestone as £500,000 has now been raised.

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The appeal was created as Dorset County Hospital Charity said there is currently insufficient emergency department and critical care unit capacity at the hospital to meet both current and future demand.

Money from the appeal will support construction of the new emergency department and critical care unit which will “significantly improve the hospital’s capacity and transform the experience of emergency and critical care patients and their families.”

The emergency department was built to accommodate 22,000 attendances; in 2021/22 attendances were 50,119.

Dorset Hospital thanks as £2.5m appeal continues

Head of the charity, Simon Pearson, has thanked people for their support.

“We are extremely grateful for the wonderful support of our local community, organisations and businesses in helping us to achieve this important milestone,” he said.

Dr David Quick, Dorset County Hospital critical care consultant, said: “We are delighted to mark the emergency and critical care appeal reaching £500,000 and very grateful for all the support of our local community.

“We encourage everyone to make a difference and help us to move the target towards the appeal’s goal of £2.5m.”

The appeal will help fund the creation in the emergency department of a dedicated relatives’ room, a child and adolescent mental health suite, and improved staff welfare facilities, as well as uplifting art and design elements.

Improvements to the critical care unit include paediatric bed space and equipment, relatives’ overnight accommodation, staff rest and quiet areas, overnight accommodation, a patient garden, and uplifting art and design elements.

To find out more about the appeal and how you can support it, visit www.dchcharity.org.uk or email the charity team at charity@dchft.nhs.uk