We offer Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). People who come in with certain conditions can be assessed, diagnosed and treated without being admitted to a ward, and if clinically safe to do so, will go home the same day their care is provided.

This month we sat down with Helen Wilson, Advanced Clinical Practitioner in SDEC at NDDH, to find out more about the service and how it’s helping to reduce waiting times and supporting safe discharges.

What does the SDEC unit do? And how do you support patients?

We know that not all patients who are in a hospital bed actually need to be there. The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit is one of the ways we are trying to improve this and deliver a better experience for our patients. The SDEC unit at North Devon District Hospital provides assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients needing urgent care who would otherwise need to stay in hospital overnight.

The SDEC team is made up of specialist staff including nurses, healthcare assistants, advanced clinical practitioners, acute frailty specialists, medics and consultants. We support patients by providing appropriate and rapid diagnosis and treatment in a welcoming environment. Additionally, we can support patients on wards to be discharged from hospital earlier.

What does an average day look like for the team?

Every day in SDEC is unique, reflecting the diverse range of patients we care for. Throughout the day, we receive referrals from GPs, the Acute Medical Triage Unit, the Emergency Department, and other services. We assess patients and aim to discharge them safely on the same day. The unit is busiest from mid-morning to evening and operates until midnight.

What do patient’s experience in SDEC?

SDEC can be very busy, but we aim for all our patients to experience high-quality care and attention in a welcoming environment. We support patients in the following ways:

• Rapid assessment and treatment: Patients receive blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic procedures. It can be very quick - the average time a patient spends with us is 2 to 4 hours.
• Comfortable environment: Despite the busy nature of the unit, patients are provided with a comfortable environment, regular refreshments, and good communication throughout their visit.
• Patient involvement: We support patients to be actively involved in decisions about their care and assessment, ensuring they are informed and empowered throughout their treatment.
• Collaboration with other services: The SDEC team works closely with the Trust’s Acute Hospital at Home virtual ward service, community services and specialist teams to ensure safe discharges and ongoing support.

Why is SDEC so important?

SDEC is crucial for patients as it allows timely and safe treatment, avoiding hospital admissions where possible. This gets patients back home where they want to be, increases their well-being and reduces the risk of hospital acquired infections and further illness. This also helps free up beds for acutely unwell patients and improves the movement of people through our services, reducing waiting times for urgent care.    

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about the service?

We value feedback and are always open to ideas on how to improve our service. 

Our team is committed to providing the best possible care with good communication, ensuring patients receive the treatment they need in a timely manner.

You can find out more about the service here.