Enter & View Report: Emergency Department, Royal Bournemouth Hospital
We visited Bournemouth Hospital A&E to see what impact the new building that opened in May 2025 has had on people’s experience of care.
People told us that the new department is bright, clean and spacious but there are long waiting times, some poor communication and unclear signage.
Recommendations for change
We are asking Bournemouth Hospital to consider the following recommendations for improvement based on our observations and findings from the visit:
- Increase the personal touch, so people feel acknowledged when they arrive and better supported in the department.
- Greater communication is needed to explain the waiting times and ensure that people understand what will happen next.
- Clear signage so people know where the children’s waiting area is, where the toilets are and where they can access water and vending machines.
- Ensure that patients know of communication alternatives if they cannot get a phone signal in the A&E department and work to improve this fault.
Read our report
If you would like this report in a different format, email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102.
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Enter and View: Emergency Department, Royal Bournemouth Hospital
