The team at the East Midlands Planned Care Centre (EMPCC) are celebrating their first anniversary of working together to reduce waiting lists and waiting times for patients.
The EMPCC, at the Leicester General Hospital, opened on 9 December 2024 as a new elective care centre, where outpatient consultations and low-complexity treatments can be delivered efficiently, in a modern, spacious and patient-centred environment.
The multi-purpose clinical space houses two operating theatres, a post-operative care ward, 14 outpatient clinic rooms, four outpatient procedure rooms, and a medical day case unit.
Devesh Thakkar has been attending the EMPCC since shortly after its opening, to receive treatment for thalassaemia. People with this lifelong condition require regular blood transfusions, as some of the haemoglobin in their red blood cells does not work properly, which can make them very anaemic (tired, short of breath and pale).
Devesh said: “My first impression was the size of the place, the amount of room for patients and how bright it was. It’s calm, and you can get your treatment done without feeling stressed out. It just flows so well.
“Now that I’ve settled in, I don’t see myself getting my treatment anywhere else. I hope I’ll have my transfusions here for a long time. Everything is under one roof, and we get everything done quickly and efficiently in an environment we know and we trust.”
The EMPCC was designed with accessibility at its heart, and is fully step-free, with wide corridors and accessible facilities throughout to enhance the experience for patients and visitors with mobility challenges, or those who are recovering from surgery. It was the first building at UHL to offer a patient self-check-in system, with three kiosks located in the main reception area to provide a smoother experience for patients on arrival.
Specialities currently operating from the EMPCC include ear, nose and throat, general surgery, gastroenterology, gynaecology, haematology, oncology, ophthalmology, spinal orthopaedics and urology.
EMPCC General Manager, Ellen Osborne, said: “Celebrating our first anniversary with patients and colleagues was a great opportunity to reflect on our journey over the last year. Each member of the team plays a vital role in maintaining high standards of safe, effective, and compassionate care at the EMPCC.
“We’re all looking forward to being part of how the centre evolves, and continuing to improve access to care, clinical outcomes and patient experience in the future.”