Another day in the life - Halton UCCs feedback report
Download (PDF 1.05 MB)Summary of report content
In December 2015 we carried out full day visits to the two recently opened Urgent Care Centres in Halton. Thier aim was to ask patients why they visited the Urgent Care Centres and to find out if the centres were helping to divert people away from the overstretched A&E units.
The UCCs are open 365 days of the year from 7.00am through to 10.00pm. Healthwatch Halton carried out a total of 6 visits to each UCC on the following dates: 21st July 2017 - 7.15am to 9.50pm (Runcorn) and 24th July 7.15am to 7.15pm (Widnes), 6th September 2017, 12th October 2017, 20th November 2017, 4thDecember 2017 and 31st January 2018. As in 2015, their survey consisted of two parts. Part one was completed with the patient while they were waiting to receive treatment. Part two was completed by the patient after treatment. During their latest set of visits, a total of 241 people took part in our survey. Of these, 111 were visiting the Widnes UCC and 130 visiting the Runcorn UCC. 43% of people said it was the first time they’d used the Centres in the previous 12 months. The patients who had used the UCCs previously had averaged 3.3 visits in the past 12 months. 60% hadn’t looked for help anywhere else before attending the UCCs. Over 50% would have gone to the local A&E department if the UCCs hadn’t been available.
The report contains 4 recommendations in relation to waiting times, signage, comfort and promotion of services.