A new Urgent Care Centre has opened at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
Located on the ground floor, a new local Urgent Care Centre team are taking referrals through the ‘Phone First’ system and directly from GPs.
The Phone First approach aims to help those patients with urgent, however not life threatening symptoms, who think they may need to attend an Emergency Department or a Minor Injury Unit, to get the most appropriate care as quickly as possible, avoiding busy waiting rooms and maintaining Emergency Departments for the most acutely ill patients.
As a telephone-based service, the team of doctors, physiotherapists and advanced nurse practitioners offer advice, appointments and diagnostics for those who need it or onward signposting or referral to other services as required.
Welcoming the opening of the new Urgent Care Centre, Brian Beattie, Director of Adult Community Services for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “With sustained demand right across health and social care services, we need to do everything we can to reduce pressure on our busy Emergency Departments (ED).
“We are also continuously working to improve our range of unscheduled care and same day emergency care services to avoid hospital admission and improve patient flow where possible.
“Since we set up the Phone First service in November 2020, the service team has been expanded and now deal with over 350 calls each day.
“Less than a quarter of these patients actually need to attend the ED and just under half of callers have been given a scheduled appointment at their local Minor Injuries Unit service or Urgent Care Centre at Craigavon Hospital.”
Brian added: “We have a very dedicated Urgent Care Centre team, committed to giving patients the right treatment at the right time and we are delighted to open our second base at Daisy Hill, which is already having a great impact in helping more people to get the most suitable service.
“Since the service started in December, the Daisy Hill team have looked after 2,441 base appointments, directly referred from GPs and the Phone First service.
“Feedback from patients who use the Phone First system has been very positive. We greatly appreciate continued public support, so please ‘Phone First’ before attending an Emergency Department or a Minor Injury Unit and help us protect our services by freeing up space and staff time in the ED for those who really need it most.”
Patients with urgent, however not life-threatening symptoms, should phone before attending the Emergency Departments or Minor Injuries Unit services at Daisy Hill, Craigavon Area or South Tyrone hospitals.
Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm (except bank holidays) Tel: 0300 123 3 111
Text relay: 18001 0300 123 3 111 or use the ‘Interpreter Now’ app.
Some patients will receive advice, or be directed to a community pharmacist, to their own GP or another suitable service. Those who need urgent assessment or treatment may receive an appointment at the Urgent Care Centre or Minor Injuries Unit service. Those who do need to attend the Emergency Department will be given a referral code.
If you think the symptoms are potentially critical, like a heart attack, stroke, or major trauma, do not delay in phoning an ambulance or getting the patient to the Emergency Department if you can.
For patients who cannot wait until their GP surgery reopens. Weekdays, 6pm to 8am, weekends and bank holidays Tel: 028 3839 9201. The majority of patients will receive telephone advice, some will be given a face-to-face appointment at a base and a smaller number will require a home visit.
