People in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire are being encouraged to have their say on the proposal to move the Story Street walk-in centre in Hull to a new location at Hull Royal Infirmary.
Engagement with patients, carers and groups in the city and surrounding areas has been ongoing since August to understand any barriers they may face with the move. People have until Friday 13 October 2023 to submit their thoughts on the proposed change.
Under the plans, the Story Street walk in centre would be relocated to the hospital this winter, paving the way for improved integration of urgent care services in the city. Additional minor injuries and diagnostic pathways would be added to create a fully designated urgent treatment centre from April 2024.
Those who are registered as patients at the practices within Wilberforce Health Centre (Wilberforce Surgery, The Quays and East Park practices), will not be affected by the proposed move of the centre. Furthermore, there will be no reduction in care staff at the Emergency Department or primary care provision in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire.
Dr James Crick, Clinical Place Director (East Riding of Yorkshire & Hull) at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, said: “This is a huge opportunity to integrate local NHS urgent care services for residents and visitors to Hull and the East Riding. The change will ensure services reflect the needs of our population and people seeking care are placed on the right path from the very start of their patient journey.
“We understand this move might impact some people more than others and we want to understand the challenges they might encounter to allow us to effectively mitigate for them.
“Thank you to everyone who has already submitted feedback on the plans. All views are valued and will help shape the new facility.”
The integration of the urgent care services in Hull has been made possible with £2.77 million funding from the £250 million boost towards helping service recovery and managing demand this winter. This will ease pressures on the Emergency Department at the hospital by reducing overcrowding, inappropriate attendances and patient waiting times.
A co-located urgent treatment centre will help people to be seen in a timely manner and be treated quickly by dedicated staff. The site will have an enhanced, larger clinical space for walk-in patients to be seen.
For more information and to complete the survey, visit: humberandnorthyorkshire.org.uk/haveyoursay.