Hospitals in Abu Dhabi must separate their emergency wards into two distinct departments to deal with patients more efficiently, the emirate's health authority has said.
Healthcare facilities have been instructed to operate separate sections dealing with minor and critical emergency cases.
The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi said the move follows a review that looked at how to ensure patients get the best treatment.
"To that end, we revisited the emergency departments’ roles and services and divided them into two separate divisions, with the aim of each providing different interventions based on the severity of the patient’s illness," said
Neil Clark, an acting director at the health department.
"This new structure will provide patients with access to better-designed emergency units that meet their medical needs more efficiently and with better results."
The emergency department will be responsible for providing critical care to patients with acute, life-threatening conditions, state news agency Wam reported.
These facilities will be led by qualified emergency physicians supported by a full team of specialists in emergency resuscitation, surgery and intensive care, all of whom will be available round the clock.
The urgent care centres will provide initial check-up, stabilisation, diagnostic and referral services to patients with illnesses and minor injuries on a walk-in basis. They also operate around-the-clock unless alternative working hours are pre-determined by the health department.
Every new or existing hospital that wishes to obtain a emergency departments licence must request to include such a services.
General hospitals without a critical care unit will be classes as 'urgent care centres' instead.
Emergency department medics have complained of being inundated with minor cases such as throat infections, back and muscle pain, which should be dealt with by GPs and by appointment.
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