Cromwell starts urgent care centre
By Douglas Shepherd
A new urgent care centre for patients with non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses which need immediate treatment has been opened by Cromwell Hospital.
It is open from 8am to 8pm, 365 days of the year and operates a walk-in service. The service is led by emergency medicine consultants, who can refer patients to
specialists within the hospital for ongoing care and treatment.
After seeing a nurse on arrival, one of the consultants is on hand to do a full assessment including X-rays, ultrasounds and blood tests, if needed.
Outpatient appointments with a specialist consultant or a GP are available and treatments and investigations may continue in the hospital’s recently opened new acute admissions unit.
Dr Sarah Frankton, hospital chief medical officer, said: ‘We’re really proud to open both our urgent care centre and acute admissions unit to patients in need of immediate access to secondary care.
‘We know that medical emergencies can be incredibly stressful and having rapid access to consultants, diagnostics and the latest technology and equipment will provide high-quality care and peace of mind for our patients and their families.’
Chief executive Philip Luce said: ‘I’m delighted to open our new urgent care centre to help people access emergency treatment as and when they need it.
‘The centre is open seven days a week, taking walk-in patients as well as bookings and will be able to refer patients into further services for treatment at the hospital if needed.’