A NEW system for access to urgent care in Worcestershire has been welcomed by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean.
As part of improvements to urgent and emergency care services, the county’s hospitals, including A&E at the Alex, have been selected to trial a national programme called NHS 111 First.
Under this new system, the public will be asked to contact NHS 111 before attending an Emergency Department if they have an urgent – but not serious or life-threatening – medical need.
By calling NHS 111, they will then be directed to the right service for them.
This could be an appointment with a GP or dentist, or a timeslot at an Emergency Department.
Arrangements will not change for people with serious or life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
People will still be advised to continue to dial 999 as before.
Nobody that attends an Emergency Department without having contacted NHS 111 beforehand will be turned away.
NHS 111 is already able to refer and book people into a number of services, such as GP services. But from October, this will also include Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units.
However from October people arriving at Emergency Departments without an allocated time may experience longer waits, unless they need immediate treatment.
Welcoming this new system, Mrs Maclean said: “Any attempt to reduce waiting times and to improve patient care will always be welcomed by me.
“It’s important to stress that in an emergency or life-threatening situation people should continue to call 999. This has not changed.”
