Patients’ fears over urgent care shake-up

Thousands of people use the walk-in service for on-the-spot appointments each year but officials from the GP-led NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have unveiled moves to open a new urgent care centre alongside the A&E unit at the town’s hospital.

Nearly 100 people responded to a consultation over the proposals which found broad support for improvements to provide round-the-clock urgent care and emergency services in one location.

Patients and carers with long-term conditions outlined frustration about the difficulties they currently faced when they needed urgent help. But many expressed concerns over limited access to the centre if it was located at Rotherham’s hospital, mainly due to worries over car parking, while there was also criticism of waiting times and the environment of A&E at the hospital.

Officials from the commissioning group formally received the consultation report at a meeting yesterday and agreed to develop an action plan addressing concerns raised. They are expected to make a final decision about the future shape of urgent care services in the town next month.

Changes will incorporate national recommendations from a major review of emergency and urgent care services ordered by Ministers amid growing concerns about the capacity of the NHS to deal with rising demand.

Chief officer Chris Edwards said: “We welcome views and comments from local people and stakeholders in helping us to shape the health services we commission. This is why we wanted to undertake a full public consultation on our proposals to improve urgent care services in Rotherham.”