Nottingham NHS Walk-in centre is being re-launched as an ‘urgent care’ department to try to ease the pressure on A&E.
The NHS Walk-In centre on London Road will have doctors on hand to carry out some emergency treatment that would normally be dealt with at the QMC.
It’s hoped the centre will be able to screen out some of the 40 per cent of people who turn up at A&E but don’t need any treatment.
The centre will also be able to x-ray people who have suspected broken bones, sprains and strains who would previously have needed to go to hospital.
Staff will also treat patients for minor burns and scars, minor head injuries with no loss of consciousness, skin infections and rashes, eye infections and minor eye injuries.
The NHS nationally has overspent by £930 million, twice the deficit for the same period last year.
But NHS Nottingham says it can fund the extra services by re-allocating existing resources.
40 per cent of A&E patients don’t need treatment
Walk-In centres re-branded as Urgent Care Centres to ease pressure on A&E
Doctors will carry out emergency treatments, ECG test and X-rays
The NHS nationally has overspent by nearly £1 billion
The opening of the new centre means there will no longer be a walk-in service at Clifton Cornerstone but it will is still provide wound dressing, stitch removal and other treatment room services by appointment.
The health centre on Upper Parliament Street will also no longer provide a walk-in service.
Proposals for the new Urgent Care Centre were put forward last year after feedback from patients and local clinicians.
The new services are being phased in between October and December, with an official launch planned for early December.
Patients are encouraged to call NHS 111 if they are unsure about where to go for medical advice.
