2:10pm Thursday 15th October 2009
By Katy Islip
HEALTH bosses are pressing ahead with an urgent treatment centre to divert patients with non life-threatening conditions away from Southend-hospital.co.uk" target="_blank">Southend Hospital’s A&E department.
NHS South East Essex has told Southend councillors the new 24-hour unit, which would also incorporate an out-of-hours GP service, should be open on April 12 next year.
The move came after the NHS said too many patients were arriving at A&E to be seen for minor injuries and ailments, when they could be treated elsewhere.
A two-year trial will see patients with non life-threatening medical conditions given treatment and advice in the new centre based inside the existing A&E department.
In a briefing paper presented to councillors, programme manager Christine Ratcliffe said: “We believe an urgent care centre will greatly improve the patient experience and help Southend Hospital to concentrate its expertise on care for patients with complex and life-threatening needs.”
It describes urgent care as care and support patients feel is immediately necessary for non-life threatening conditions.
Such conditions include back pain, deafness, pain management for dental conditions, sickness and diarrhoea, localised pain, psychiatric problems, skin problems, and swellings.
It is anticipated the centre will cut the number of people arriving at A&E with minor complaints and relieve pressure on the department.
Other aims are a reduction of waiting times and improvements to A&E care, as well as the prevention of avoidable admissions as GPs and nurses at the centre educate patients to allow them to manage their conditions more effectively.
Emergency patients will continue to be treated within A&E, as will people with minor injuries that carry a risk of complications.
The council meeting heard the project’s unusually long trial period will allow reviews every six months, which will help NHS South East Essex assess the space requirements of the centre and how it should operate in the long-term.
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