New urgent care service launched for County Durham and Darlington (From The Northern Echo)

New urgent care service launched for County Durham and Darlington

4:20pm Thursday 1st October 2009 in NHS Darlington and County Durham

A new service for patients requiring urgent health care is being launched in County Durham and Darlington.

From Thursday, October 1, patients can ring a special number – 0300 1110111 – and they will be passed to the service they need. It is not for emergencies – if an adult or child has a serious illness or injury, people should still dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Cameron Ward, chief operating officer from NHS County Durham, said: “We have introduced this new service because people have told us they sometimes don’t know where to go for help and can find the range of services available confusing.

“We want to make sure the right care is delivered in the right way and that patients get the right response to the many different kinds of problems they face as well as ensuring NHS resources are used in the best way.”

Leaflets and posters will be distributed throughout the area publicising the special number and every household will receive a Guide to Service in November.

The new urgent care service provides treatment or advice for people who have a minor injury or suddenly feel ill. It is a network linking doctors, nurses and others who work across hospitals and health centres based in the community.

Services are provided from six urgent care centres staffed by GPs and highly qualified staff skilled in emergency care. Patients can walk in without an appointment but are advised to call 0300 1110111 first.

The centres are in Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Dr Piper House, Darlington, University Hospital of North Durham, Seaham Medical Centre and Peterlee Community Hospital.

These are open 24 hours a day apart from University Hospital of North Durham which operates an out of hours service between 6.00pm and 8.00 am Monday Friday and from 6.00 pm Friday to 8.00 am Monday, and Seaham Urgent Care Centre which is open 8.30 am – 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Accident & Emergency (A&E) services are available at Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University of Hospital of North Durham. And patients can also get medical advice by calling their own GPs in working hours or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

The urgent care service is run by the NHS County Durham, County Durham and Darlington Community Services, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, North East Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Primecare all working together.

NOTE TO EDITORS Conditions needing urgent attention could include: • chest infections • urine infections • suspected eye infections • fevers • cuts • sprains and strains • hand, foot and wrist fractures • itches Calls are charged at local rate and at usual mobile phone rates. They are handled by North East Ambulance Services NHS Trust so people can be transferred to emergency services if necessary.

NHS County Durham is also providing an urgent care transport service for patients requiring transport to use urgent care services.

If you require further information please contact the communications department on 0191 333 3386. ENDS For further information, contact the communications department on 0191 333 3386.