Plans are officially in the works to revamp the A&E at Queen's Hospital in Romford, which serves thousands of residents from Ilford and Redbridge each year.
Where: Queen's Hospital, Rom Valley Way, Romford
When: Havering Council is expected to make a decision by July 31
Who will be impacted: Anyone who relies on Queen's A&E, especially families with kids.
This major overhaul is being spearheaded by BHRUT (Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust), which saw its busiest month ever in March, with over 31,000 A&E visits. The department was initially designed to accommodate 325 patients a day, but it frequently surpasses that number.
The trust is looking for £35 million in funding. The new entrance, which will be built as an extension next to the maternity ward, will cater to both emergency and maternity services, while the current ambulance entrance will remain unchanged.
What this means for you: If this plan gets the green light and the funding comes through, the A&E you depend on during emergencies will be significantly better equipped to meet the growing demand.