Patients are receiving faster and more efficient emergency care thanks to improvements in the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) departments at Shropshire's two acute hospitals.

SDEC is proving to be a vital part of emergency services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Dr John Jones, executive medical director, said: ‘Our priority is to ensure that every patient visiting our emergency departments receives the highest standard of care. This means making sure they are assessed and treated as quickly and efficiently as possible, in the most appropriate setting for their needs.

‘Delivering the right treatment, in the right place, at the right time is a fundamental part of this approach.

‘The improvements in SDEC play a crucial role in achieving this aim. By enhancing our ability to diagnose, treat, and discharge patients within the same day, we can reduce waiting times, improve patient experience and ensure that those who need urgent care receive it promptly. This is fantastic news for our patients, as it helps us provide a more seamless, more effective, and responsive service.'

Since the SDEC improvement programme was launched, the percentage of patients referred from ED to SDEC, without a hospital admission, has risen from 34.4% in January 2024 to 42.1% in January 2025. This equates to 240 additional patients in January 2025 compared to the same time the previous year.

Plans are underway to recruit more staff and expand services, including additional follow-up clinics for patients who need further tests or consultations, helping free up space in SDEC for new patients.