Respiratory and Pleural Ambulatory Care Units (RACU and PACU)

The Unit is situated on Ward B4 East at the Royal Gwent Hospital.  The unit is open 09:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.  (Unavailable weekends and bank holidays at present). 

The Respiratory Ambulatory Care Unit (RACU) is an initiative led by the Respiratory Directorate.  The role of the unit is to provide same day emergency assessment and discharge for respiratory patients, with access to same day diagnostics and consultant reviews.

Examples of some of the patients seen in RACU are patients suffering with respiratory illnesses such as COPD exacerbations, asthma exacerbations, post-Covid related respiratory issues and patients with suspected Pulmonary Embolism (Low Risk).

If your GP or health care professional feel a referral to the unit is appropriate they can contact the flow centre who will liaise with the team on the unit to agree a suitable plan.

The unit is covered by a consultant, Physician Associate, Registered Nurse, and Nursing Auxiliary.

The unit is also home to our Outpatient pleural procedure clinic which runs Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. The clinic is supported by either a Respiratory Consultant, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Respiratory Consultant, and a Nurse Auxiliary.

The ward coordinator works Monday – Friday 8.00am – 4.00pm and is responsible for meeting and greeting patients, recording patients’ attendances and outcomes for the RACU unit as well as booking and updating outcomes for the pleural unit.

Useful Contact Numbers:

Nurse in Charge:         01633 656148 (internal 46148)

Ward Coordinator       01633 656148 (internal 46148)