Move towards NHS 'one-stop shop'

Members of NHS Sheffield's board are set to consider various options for overhauling the city's minor injuries services at a meeting tomorrow after carrying out consultation with GPs, hospitals, other agencies and the public.

A huge 81 per cent of Sheffield people polled said they agreed changes need to be made as there are currently "too many options for urgent care", which can prove confusing in an emergency.

Respondents said their preferred plan is to relocate the current services from the walk-in centre and the minor injuries unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to the health centre in Broad Lane, and provide one service that deals with minor injuries and illnesses alongside the existing GP services there.

Director of strategy at NHS Sheffield, Simon Kirk, said: "We've had lots of conversations with patients and the public and they all say the same thing – that people are confused about what walk-in services are on offer in the city centre, what they can treat and where they are located.

"We want to make sure the money we spend on behalf of Sheffield people on walk in services offers the best and most effective service for patients and makes the best use of the nurses and doctors.

"This proposal, which has been many months in the making, has the backing of GPs and the public and we're confident it is the right plan for the city."

The proposed new service – being dubbed an alternative to accident and emergency – is for both adults and children and would be equipped with X-ray machines to ensure people could be treated for a range of illnesses and injuries, including minor fractures, all in one place.

Mr Kirk added: "Such a centre would ensure the accident and emergency department at the Northern General Hospital could then deal with patients who really need to be seen there - the ones which are serious accidents and emergencies.

"And, of course, patients would still be able to see their GP for non-urgent concerns. This isn't about taking away services, it's about providing them in a way that meets peoples' needs."

The minor injuries unit, walk-in centre, and city GP centre currently see around 100,000 patients a year.

The new service is expected to see many more, as it would pick up "inappropriate" visits to the accident and emergency department at the Northern General Hospital.

The board will review three options at tomorrow's meeting. The first, the recommended option, is to move services to Broad Lane. The second is to close the existing walk-in centre and minor injuries unit at the Hallamshire and develop a new one-stop shop at the Northern General and the third is to do nothing.

If the board agrees with the recommended option, however, some staff working at the current walk-in centre and minor injuries unit could be made redundant.

A spokesman for NHS Sheffield said: "NHS Sheffield is committed to working with staff's current employers and any successful bidders to ensure that compliance with appropriate employment legislation is maintained throughout this process.

"Staff will be fully involved in any developments and have already been a part of the consultation and meetings to discuss what could happen next. We would clearly work hard to avoid any redundancies."

In recommending the Broad Lane option, NHS bosses took various factors into account, such as car parking.

A new car park within 200 yards of the centre is set to open later this summer, adding 531 car park spaces in the area.