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About us
The Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) provides same-day emergency care (SDEC) for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment with the aim of getting patients home safely on the same day. The Unit is staffed by our team of Acute Physicians, with input being given by specialist teams.
The Unit provides a mixture of reclining chairs, examination trollies and procedure rooms.
Suitability for ACU is considered at the point of referral which can be either from your GP or the Emergency Department. Patients suitable for ACU will be directed to the ACU reception area where they will be registered and have their initial observations commenced. Patients attending ACU will be required to wait in a seated area and must be self-caring for activities of daily living (or at least accompanied by someone who can support them with these). Patients may be asked to return to the unit for a follow up appointment, following treatment or a scan.
The ACU is focussed on providing the right care for our patients, in the right place and they treat:
- Patients needing emergency care who are referred by their GP
- Patients redirected from our emergency department requiring same day treatments or monitoring for 24-48 hours
- Patients who have been in hospital, providing support to go home in a safe and timely manner
- Surgical Hot Clinic is now based on ACU providing same day emergency care under the surgical team
Once assessed patients will be made aware of a likely discharge time and will be asked to make their own travel arrangements. Where this is not possible, the team can assist in making necessary arrangements.
Following discharge home, a discharge summary is sent to the patient’s GP, giving details of investigations and treatment on the unit, with details of medication on discharge, and any recommendations for aftercare.
In addition, within our ACU the 13 trolley/bed spaces are also used to facilitate Emergency Department patient admissions that require 24-48 hours intervention for safe discharge.
Admission
By referral
Location
The Ambulatory Care Unit is located on the ground floor of the main hospital building.
The Ambulatory Care Unit
Ground Floor
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
Contact
Reception – 0161 701 4763
ACU Clinic – 0161 701 0353
ACU Inpatient Area – 0161 701 0354
Surgical Hot Clinic – 0161 701 1152
Additional Information
The Ambulatory Care Unit Clinics (SDEC) are open between 8am and 9pm, 7 days a week however patients attending ACU should arrive no later than 6pm. This is to ensure sufficient time for assessment and treatment.
The inpatient ACU/ED bedded area is a 24-hour, 7 days a week service.