A NEW medical assessment unit was due to open at Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital today.
Health bosses believe the 14-bay round-the-clock unit will ease pressure on the A&E department.
Patients will be given high priority for blood tests, X-rays and, following diagnosis, will be transferred to a specialist or general medical ward or discharged.
Dr Charles Ashton, medical director for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said A&E had to deal with 999 patients, GP referrals requiring assessment plus patients with minor injuries.
"This often means that less urgent patients wait longer than we would like in the A&E department because the life-threatening cases must be cared for as a priority and patients who need assessment or are waiting test results also need monitoring by A&E staff," he said.
"The new unit will enable those medical patients who need a period of assessment, rapid testing and diagnosis to be admitted to a comfortable purpose built facility where they can rest and be cared for by specialist staff."
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