A multi-million-pound improvement programme to expand the emergency department at Worthing Hospital has begun.

Hospital colleagues were joined by invited guests and construction partners Morgan Sindall on November 22 to celebrate building works getting underway for a new urgent treatment centre.

Known as UTCs, urgent treatment centres provide faster medical help for people when their condition is not life-threatening.

They offer appointments via the NHS 111 service and are equipped to investigate, diagnose and treat the most common illnesses people come to A&E for.

It was announced in the summer that the UTC is being moved from its current location opposite the X-ray department to inside the emergency department.

Patients are expected to be able to use the new facility from Autumn 2025.

Hands on the ceremonial spade, from left Hospital Director Stephen Mardlin, Dr Kate Coates,  Lucy Orton, Ellie Nicholson, Chief Nurse Maggie Davies, and Capital Development Manager Luke Workman (Image: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SUSSEX) The investment at Worthing Hospital is part of a commitment by University Hospitals Sussex to expand and modernise the trust’s emergency departments.

Tori Cooper, hospital director for nursing, said: “We’re responding to the needs of our local population and in particular our more elderly and frail patients.

"Both the UTC and Same Day Emergency Care will enable us to improve care for older people by providing treatment more quickly at the front door of the hospital that will help them to avoid being admitted into the hospital for a ward stay.

“We know people want to stay in their own homes if they can, and all the evidence shows that maintaining people’s independence and providing swift access to medical care in day units is much better for their both their health and wellbeing.

“These improvements will also enable our emergency and trauma care specialists to focus on the patients who need them most.”

Artist impression of the new unit (Image: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SUSSEX) Worthing Hospital's emergency department is the busiest in West Sussex, seeing around 100,000 people a year.

Demand is growing by around 5 per cent a year, according to hospital data, and is mostly driven by a rise in the number of people coming to the department by themselves for urgent care.

The new UTC will treat at least 40,000 patients a year, who will all use the emergency department’s new main entrance, reception and waiting areas.

Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for West Worthing, who attended the launch event as the Trust’s guest of honour, said: “Such a significant investment in the town’s Emergency Department and creation of a new Urgent Treatment Centre is excellent news for everyone living locally.

“Speaking with staff today, it’s great to hear how excited they are to improve access and facilities for patients.

"I am delighted to see the works get underway and cannot wait to return next year when the UTC opens to the public.”