NHS Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched an engagement exercise to seek the views of the public on how urgent care services for minor injuries and illnesses can be improved.
During the past two years, the CCG and partners have worked health professionals and the public, through engagement events and surveys, to understand and gather views on their personal experiences.
NHS Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group’s Dr Steve Summers, said: “Urgent care services include medical care for minor injuries and minor illnesses. They are separate from A&E services, which provide emergency care for people with life-threatening conditions.
“Patients often get confused on what urgent care service is most appropriate and we need their input to help us identify solutions to simplify the system.
“The services that we are going to be looking at include how you can look after yourself (self-care), NHS 111 – the non-emergency telephone number for NHS services, GP practices, GP out of hours (for when GP practices are shut), community pharmacies (or chemists), walk-in centres.”
To support this work, a programme of engagement is planned to get input from clinicians, public, patients, stakeholders and communities.
Dr Summers said: ““What we have heard so far has helped give us a picture of the way local residents feel urgent and emergency care should be delivered or accessed. We know that the way people use urgent care services, and what people expect of them, is changing.
“We will be looking at changes that encourage and help patients to attend the most appropriate urgent/ or emergency care service for their needs. If we are to continue delivering good quality urgent care services in the future, we need to make sure the services adapt to the changing needs of patients across our area.”
Engagement will begin with an early listening phase, from 15 November to 10 January, and will include a series of daytime and evening engagement events, questionnaires, focus groups and online engagement.
The public are also invited to the below events.
Date |
Time |
Venue |
28th November |
2pm – 3.30pm |
Brunswick Church |
29th November |
3pm – 4.30pm |
Bewick B – Gateshead Civic Centre |
27th November |
6pm – 7.30pm |
Armstrong/Stevenson Room – Newcastle Civic Centre |
5th December |
6pm – 7.30pm |
Armstrong/Stevenson Room – Newcastle Civic Centre |
11th December |
6pm – 7.30pm |
Armstrong/Stevenson Room – Newcastle Civic Centre |
For more information and answer a survey visit www.
You can also follow updates on Twitter – @NHSngccg and Facebook – fb.me/
If you would like to discuss opportunities to get involved over the phone call 0191 217 2670.
Steve Summers video (53 secs) – https://youtu.be/jImuwrTNwio
Download link: https://www.dropbox.com/