NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has today had their plans approved to start a 12 week formal public consultation on proposed changes to urgent care services. The CCG were given the green light by the group’s governing body, which is made up of elected GPs along with agreed CCG executives, lay members and representatives from the local authority.
The 12 week consultation period will now start on 25 October 2016 and finish on 17 January 2017. During this period members of the public will be able to have their say on these proposals by completing a survey or attending a public drop-in event.
The survey will be widely distributed across the East Riding of Yorkshire in locations such as public libraries, GP surgeries and pharmacies as well as being available online through the CCGs website.
Jane Hawkard, Chief Officer, NHS East Riding of Yorkshire CCG has said:
“We’re pleased that we are able to take our consultation forward, following the decision from the governing body. We have worked very hard to make sure that the proposals presented best meet the need of the whole of the East Riding of Yorkshire.”
“When the consultation begins next week, I would encourage local people to get involved so that they understand the proposals and can have their say, either by completing our survey or coming to one of our public events.
“In March 2017 we expect our governing body to make a decision on the final service model following full consideration of feedback received from local people and clinicians during the consultation process.”
Under the plans, the six minor injury units across the East Riding of Yorkshire will be replaced by two or three urgent care centres. Urgent care centres will be open for 16 hours a day, 365 days a year and will provide consistent services across all of the centres.
Jane explains the benefit of urgent care centres:
“Urgent care centres will have consistent opening times 16 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and will provide a consistent range of advice, treatment and diagnostics, with no variation between the centres. By providing a consistent service, the centres will be better connected to the wider urgent care system and will allow NHS 111 and ambulances to direct and drop off patients there. This is not possible with the current minor injury units.”
The plans will also see a change in how community beds are used, the CCG pays a high cost for nursing and medical care provided in a community bed when, what many patients really need, is access to intensive rehabilitation or short-term care packages which can be provided in an alternative setting or in a patient’s own home.
“Earlier discharge will reduce the risk of muscle wasting that patients often experience in a hospital bed which can lead to a loss of independence, especially if they are elderly. We want to be able to invest in our local workforce and improve intensive rehabilitation services so we can support more people back to independence sooner. Our proposals will help us to have the right type of beds in the community to better meet the needs of local people through strengthened support at or close to home”.
The public event takes place in Beverley Saturday 12 November – 12.30pm until 3.30pm: Parish Hall, Beverley Minster, Minster Yard North, Beverley, HU17 0DP.
