Relocation of Shropshire Walk In Centre to go ahead
Senior doctors from The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said today that a GP-led ‘walk-in service’ alongside A&E at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was the “right way forward” for patients.
The plan was approved at an extraordinary meeting of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group yesterday and discussed by members of the Trust Board today. The Board gave its backing to the plans in July.
Dr Kevin Eardley, Consultant Renal Physician and Care Group Medical Director for Unscheduled Care at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: “This is absolutely the right way forward for our patients. Enhancing walk-in services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will mean that people who urgently need assessment with non-life threatening injuries or illnesses could be seen more quickly by GP walk-in service staff.
“Walk-in staff have particular skills that will support timely and effective management of those presenting with minor illnesses and injuries, providing existing A&E staff with more capacity to manage the most complex and severe illnesses and injuries. Patients will benefit because walk-in centre staff and A&E staff will work closely together to share their skills, knowledge and expertise.
Dr Edwin Borman, Medical Director at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, added: “The development of a walk-in service alongside A&E is the first phase in the development of an Urgent Care Centre at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
“Urgent Care Centres co-located with Emergency Departments have been identified nationally as a priority as part of the National Urgent and Emergency Care Review.
“Many people who attend the Emergency Department could be cared for by a GP. Bringing together the walk-in centre and A&E department will offer a new ‘one-stop’ service for people with urgent injuries and illnesses.”
The capital investment for refurbishing facilities alongside the Emergency Department and increasing the size of the waiting area are around £250,000. These costs are included in the Trust Capital Programme for 2014/15.
While the walk-in service will be relocated from its current premises in Monkmoor, the GP general practice will continue to be provided at that location for registered patients.
