Speaking from the new S-Deck at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Killen said it was a “same day emergency department” which will be a “significant improvement” in efficiency and flow through the hospital.
He said the trust has received more than £260m from the government’s new hospital scheme.
“I believe we are going to see an improved healthcare system in the Dorset area,” Killen said.
He added: “It’s given us the better part of 300 to 400 beds across our sites, it’s improved theatres, it’s given us a brand new main entrance on the Royal Bournemouth site, it’s got a brand new kitchen and catering unit on the back of that so we’ve been very lucky.”
He made clear that despite this improvement there is still a £200m backlog of work that still needs to be done to “bring the hospitals up to scratch”.
He said this was linked to the “fabric” of the old estates, which need better windows, insulation and roofing.
“Whilst we have been very lucky and very successful in getting money, there is still a long way to go,” Killen said.
Some of the changes have proved controversial, as there has been a shake up of the emergency departments in the county.
From July/ August 2026, people taken by ambulance for emergency treatment will go to the hospital in Bournemouth, while patients who have planned procedures and non-emergency healthcare services will go to the hospital in Poole.