Enter and view: Rochdale Infirmary Urgent Treatment Centre

Healthwatch Rochdale undertook an announced Enter and View visit to Rochdale Infirmary Urgent Treatment Centre on 2 March 2023. They spoke to 11 patients and 5 staff members.

They identified the following areas that were working well:

• The department was clean and tidy with hand sanitisation available.
• There were separate pathways in place for patients referred by NHS 111 or for eye issues.
• There was a separate waiting room and triage for children.
• There was a mental health room and two sensory rooms for children.
• There was clear information on waiting times and how to make a complaint.
• Staff wore name badges and appeared friendly and approachable.
• There were plenty of wheelchairs available.

They identified the following areas which needed improvement:

• Patients were attending The Urgent Treatment Centre incorrectly because it was more convenient, or they couldn’t get a GP appointment.
• Information was only available in English.
• There were no toys or activity equipment available in the children’s waiting room.
• It wasn’t easy to locate wheelchairs on arrival.

The report contains three recommendations about information on other languages, play equipment and access to wheelchairs.  The report also contains a response from the provider setting out an action plan to address the issues raised.