More than 30,000 patients have been seen at The James Cook University Hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre within its first six months of opening.
Situated next to the hospital’s emergency department, the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is helping to relieve pressure on its busy A&E which has seen attendances drop by over a third.
The UTC, which opened its doors in April, is open 24 hours a day, including weekends and bank holidays.
Statistics for its first six months show:
· A&E has seen a 36% reduction in attendances but still remains very busy
· Around 168 people use the UTC each day
· 94.1% of those using the UTC are seen and have a decision made about their onward care within four hours
One of four UTCs across Tees Valley
Middlesbrough’s UTC is one of four across the Tees Valley that are now jointly ran by: University Hospitals Tees (North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and Hartlepool and Stockton Health (H&SH) GP Federation.
Patients can access the same care and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries at all four centres.
The centres at James Cook, University Hospital of North Tees and University Hospital of Hartlepool are open 24/7, while the UTC at Redcar Primary Care Hospital is open from 8am to midnight.
Fran Bowden, senior clinical general manager for emergency care at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “While we are seeing less people coming into the main emergency department the people we are treating are very poorly and require more attention, so we are still very busy.
“The UTCs are helping to ensure people get the right help, at the right time, and in the right place, freeing up A&E for those who need it most.”
South Tees also runs a UTC at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton which is open 24 hours a day.
Using NHS 111
Patients who are unwell and need to access urgent care at any of the centres are advised to visit 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111 first so an appointment can be made where appropriate. For minor injuries patients can walk into all the centres without an appointment.
Fran added: “Patients should continue to contact their GP, pharmacist or 111 for non-urgent health issues, but if they have a minor illness or injury that needs urgent attention, the UTCs are here to help.
“If you’ve got a strain or sprain, suspected broken limb, minor head injury, cut, minor scald or burn, skin infection, eye problem, feverish illness or abdominal pain – There’s a UTC for that!”
For a full list of what the UTCs can treat visit the urgent and emergency page.