Urgent Care review – Approach 3

What is approach 3?

We will commission a minor injury service across north east Essex. The current walk in centre and Minor injury unit contracts will end however the new service would look to expand and enhance what minor injuries can be treated in the community currently, aiming to reduce the need for you to attend A&E. While the service will have a presence in Colchester, Clacton and Harwich, we are focusing on it being a service, not a building, in that over the course of the new contract we would like to work closer with GP Practices to deliver the services more locally across north east Essex. This approach would aim, in parallel, to provide greater support for people to self-treat minor illness and self-manage their long term health conditions. However, for other minor illness that required clinical input; patients would access their GP Practice, or Out of Hours GP service.

What will be the benefits of a minor injury service?

  • Able to treat a wider range of injuries in one place
  • Able to treat walk in patients but also those that are not mobile (e.g. increasing the range of patients that could be brought in by ambulance rather than conveyed to A&E).
  • We see this approach fully integrating with GP Surgeries in the future, so that regardless of whether you have a minor injury or illness, you can be seen and treated in the same place, locally.
  • You will be treated in a setting where the people have the necessary skills for your need

What if I have a Minor Illness?

  • We recognise there is much more we can do to support patients to self-care. To help this, we are working with our colleagues across all system partners, the local council and voluntary services to develop a plan which will ensure that no matter what service you access, you receive information, help and support to self-manage your long term condition and self-treat your minor illness and injuries wherever possible.

We want greater use of pharmacists and are currently looking at offering training to local pharmacies to ensure they have the support to confidently advise and treat many of your minor ailments.

  • If you need more support, you should access your GP or Out of Hours GP service (via 111). We are working with GP Practices locally to improve access through extended hours into evenings and weekends and the use of care navigators so that if you need an appointment, one will be available to you.

What if I still don’t know where to go?

We are also commissioning an Integrated Urgent Care Service (integrating 111 and GP out of hours) which will have a greater number of clinicians with a wider skills and knowledge base available for patients who would like advice of how to look after themselves, or which local service would best meet their need, day or night.