New urgent treatment centre to be introduced at Royal Stoke University Hospital
The centre aims to reduce the strain on emergency services
Royal Stoke University Hospital is set to open a new urgent treatment centre to alleviate pressure on emergency services.
The proposed facility is expected to utilise existing portable buildings on-site, with the planning application already approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
According to a design and access statement submitted for the application, the development includes internal and external modifications to the current out-of-hours GP area and the construction of an extension to house a new X-ray suite.
A substation will also be established to accommodate the increased demand from new equipment.
The statement describes the additional development as minimal, aiming to enhance patient services by repurposing the existing GP clinic for the urgent treatment centre.
The plan outlines an enlarged welcoming layout featuring a new entrance, waiting area, and reception zone.
This improved facility is anticipated to reduce the pressure on the hospital's front-line emergency care services.
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is implementing urgent treatment centres (UTCs) as part of a national initiative.
These centres will offer urgent care services at least 12 hours a day for patients of all ages, catering to minor injuries and illnesses and accepting ambulance arrivals with access to electronic health records.
UTCs aim to treat common conditions currently managed by emergency departments, such as suspected fractures, abdominal pain, minor head injuries, skin infections, feverish illnesses, and cuts needing stitches.
The new X-ray services are expected to be available throughout the centre's operating hours.
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