Check the pulse: Urgent care hub report
Download (PDF 859.13 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch South Tyneside (HWST) created this 'Check the pulse' report to take a snapshot of the Urgent Care Hub at South Tyneside District
Hospital.
The snapshot report follows some South Tyneside residents over the last two years expressing to Healthwatch South Tyneside that, in their experience, the Urgent Care Hub could be improved following the relocation of The Jarrow Walk-in Centre. It was considered that as South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub had been operational since October 2015 and should be firmly embedded at the hospital site; it would be
of value to 'Check the Pulse' and gather a snapshot of the service.
Some findings from the report include:
A GP was not always present at the South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub during published opening times.
The service was available 65% and unavailable 35% of the published opening times over the period Healthwatch South Tyneside visited.
GPs are working alone away from the main reception and Accident and Emergency area.
Staff considered there were not enough staff to support the service.
The report gives 8 recommendations, including:
The Urgent Care Patient Pathway is not available to staff; HWST recommend that this is provided to South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub staff; and they become familiar with it. This would help ensure that South Tyneside residents receive the right treatment, at the right time, in the right place as was promised by the STCCG in their consultation that resulted in the relocation of The Jarrow Walk-in Centre.
NHS 111 continue to refer residents to the South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub despite having been informed when this service is not available; HWST recommend that the South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub and NHS 111 develop a protocol for when the service is closed during commissioned hours and that adherence to this is monitored.
HWST is unclear what options are available to people should the service be unavailable during commissioned hours; and would like some clarity from the commissioners regarding what alternative provision is available to meet the needs of South Tyneside residents. People contacting NHS111 should be informed if the South Tyneside Urgent Care Hub is unavailable and what options are open to them to meet their urgent care and treatment needs.