PATIENTS at the A&E department at the John Radcliffe will be seen quicker than ever after office space was converted into a new rapid-assessment area.

The new unit means that patients will be seen within half an hour of arrival by senior clinicians to work out what tests or treatment they might need.

It is hoped the facility will cut the time to first treatment for more seriously ill patients.

Katy Mimpress, matron of the emergency department, said the new space was a huge improvement for patients and staff to work in.

She added: "Importantly, it will help make us more efficient and should mean that our patients are seen more quickly."

The new assessment area is one of three newly refurbished areas opened by hospital managers in the past week thanks to £3.2m funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, given to upgrade wards and emergency departments and provide new beds to cope with the pressures of winter.

Bruno Holthof, chief executive of Oxford University Hospitals trust, also officially opened the newly refurbished Complex Medicine Unit (CMU) Ward at the JR.

Oxford Hospitals Charity gave £110,000 towards the improvements to make the whole area more dementia friendly with specialist painting schemes (colour contrasts in doorways and on handrails help dementia patients) and artwork that helps patients orientate themselves better, as well as the reconfiguration of the nurse bases on each ward.

A revamped operational centre at the JR was also reopened and the new specialist Oxfordshire Winter Team moved in.

Dr Holthof said: “I was delighted to join staff who worked on the projects and those who are now working in these new spaces.

"I would like to congratulate our estates teams who worked to deliver these projects very quickly in time for winter.

"They are huge improvements on what was there before and will be better spaces for patients and staff."