16 August 2011
Patients attending the emergency department (A&E) at St Helier Hospital last week were among the first to have the chance to be treated in a brand new 'urgent care centre'.
The centre, which forms part of the emergency department, opened on 1 August 2011, and provides care for patients who do not need emergency, life-saving treatment.
Run in partnership with NHS Sutton and Merton and local GPs, the centre offers appropriate treatment for people with minor illnesses or injuries, who come to the emergency department but who do not require the specialist skills of life saving doctors.
Emergency department consultant Dr Carole Ann Johnson explained: "The emergency department at St Helier treated over 79,000 people last year, but not all of them had critical or life-threatening conditions, which is what the emergency department specialises in.
"The urgent care centre means patients who have flu-like symptoms or minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains and bumps, cuts and grazes, will be seen by specially-trained emergency nurses. The centre will be open 24 hours-a-day.
"This not only means they get the most appropriate treatment - it also means consultants in the emergency department can focus on people with critical or life-threatening conditions."
Dr Jonathan Cockbain is a local GP involved in developing the project. He said: "The centre is great news. It's an enhancement that means that we can use the skills of doctors and nurses more efficiently, meaning patients with less serious problems will see the person with the right skills at the right time."
Dr Johnson added: "It is not possible to register or to book an appointment at the urgent care centre, and it is not the same as a 'walk-in centre' - which are designated GP-led services in the community.
"The urgent care centre does mean, however, that we can make sure those people who do arrive at A&E with more minor ailments can be seen and treated more appropriately."
Alternatives to A&E include:
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NHS Choices - visit www.nhs.uk and search for information on medical symptoms and conditions and to find local NHS services;
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NHS Direct - call 0845 4647 for absolutely any health questions, around the clock, and to find local NHS services;
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Self-care - a lot of illnesses can be treated in your home by using over the counter medicine and getting plenty of rest;
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Pharmacist - for advice on common summer illnesses, and the best medicines to treat them: pharmacists are qualified experts and you do not need an appointment;
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NHS walk-in centres - for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries, without an appointment;
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GP out of hours service - for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions for illnesses you just can't shake off.
