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Treatment for urgent health needs

is improving 

Access to urgent treatment in Tameside & Glossop is improving. From the end of April a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will open on the Tameside Hospital site. Alongside the already launched Primary Care Access Service (PCAS) this will provide an enhanced offer for people with a condition that needs prompt medical help to avoid it deteriorating, but is not life-threatening.

The Tameside & Glossop vision for urgent care is one that sees people with an urgent care need assessed by the most appropriate person on the same day. Last year, NHS Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group consulted on that vision proposing the development of an enhanced, locality based urgent care offer for Tameside & Glossop. Following positive feedback from the public, patients and others the plan was agreed by the Tameside & Glossop Strategic Commissioning Board, and is now being delivered in full.

The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is not a like for like replacement of the Walk In Centre (WIC) at Ashton Primary Care Centre, it is a new, broader and better offer. Being located on the hospital site means the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) has direct and prompt access to urgent diagnostics or other hospital services. Staff at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will ensure that any patient presenting is treated by the right professional – whether that be identified as an urgent or emergency need.

The consultation also invited respondents to select their preference on two options for where and when patients can book appointments at primary care access hubs across Tameside & Glossop. These hubs provide more local access to primary care services – increasing the availability of same day appointments in the evenings and at weekends.

The new approach means people with an urgent (but not life threatening) need are able to access support in their neighbourhood through the Primary Care Access Service (PCAS) or through the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at the Tameside Hospital site. Anyone registered with a GP practice in Tameside & Glossop has access to a range of appointments available in the evenings and at weekends, and can be booked by contacting their own GP practice or via referral from NHS 111. If the need is urgent and no appointments are available people can access the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) directly – as will those not registered with a GP – through the walk-in option.

All five of our primary care access hubs are now open in Tameside & Glossop.  The Urgent Treatment Centre (including walk in access) at the hospital site will open on 29 April 2019 with the walk in provision currently available at Ashton Primary Care Centre ending on the same date. 

Dr Ashwin Ramachandra, Acting Chair of NHS Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group said, ‘Having listened to the views of the public and patients we are now working with our partners at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this new offer.  We are investing money to ensure better access for people with an urgent care need. Our new approach to urgent care will ensure people receive effective care first time around and they will be supported by the most appropriate person with the correct skills. The new and improved urgent care service is fit for modern needs where people need flexible access at times and places that are convenient to them’.