17th December 2024
Pictured left to right are Karen Walker, Head of Urgent Care Services, Shaunine Murphy, Receptionist, Caroline Taylor, Health Care Assistant, Aoife Martin, Health Care Assistant, Dr Niamh Rogers, Hayden Shilliday, Health Care Assistant, Dr Rosemary Sloan, Clinical Lead, Patricia McGrath, Nurse Team Lead, Dr Chris Elliott.The Urgent Care Centre team at Daisy Hill Hospital have marked their first year in service, having now looked after a total of 3,947 patients.
The Urgent Care Centre team receive referrals through the ‘Phone First’ system and directly from GPs.
The Phone First approach helps patients with urgent, however not life-threatening symptoms, to get the most appropriate care as quickly as possible, avoiding busy waiting rooms and maintaining Emergency Departments for only the most acutely ill.
As a telephone-based service, the team of Doctors, Physiotherapists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners offer advice, appointments and diagnostics for those who need it or onward signposting or referral to other services as required.
Paying tribute to the Urgent Care team on their first year in service, Brian Beattie, Director of Adult Community Services for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “We are very proud of our extremely dedicated Urgent Care team, who are committed to giving patients the right treatment at the right time.
“With sustained demand right across health and social care services, we need to do everything we can to reduce pressure on our Emergency Departments particularly over the busy winter months. We are also continuously working to improve our range of unscheduled care and same day emergency care services to avoid hospital admission and improve patient flow where possible.
“The Phone First service deals with over 350 calls each day. Less than a quarter of these patients actually need to attend the ED and just under half of callers are given a scheduled appointment at their local Minor Injuries Unit service or Urgent Care Centre at Craigavon or Daisy Hill. The Daisy Hill Urgent Care team have seen 3947 patients face to face in the last year, averaging out at 329 base appointments each month and have welcomed new permanent members of staff.
“Feedback from patients who use the Phone First system has been very positive. We greatly appreciate continued public support, so please ‘Phone First’ before attending an Emergency Department or a Minor Injury Unit and help us protect our services by freeing up space and staff time in the ED for those who really need it most.”
Phone First
Patients with urgent, however not life-threatening symptoms, should phone before attending the Emergency Departments or Minor Injuries Unit services at Daisy Hill, Craigavon Area or South Tyrone Hospitals.
Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm (except bank holidays) Tel: 0300 123 3 111
Text relay: 18001 0300 123 3 111 or use the ‘Interpreter Now’ app
Some patients will receive advice or be directed to a community Pharmacist, to their own GP or another suitable service. Those who need urgent assessment or treatment may receive an appointment at the Urgent Care Centre or Minor Injuries Unit service. Those who do need to attend the Emergency Department will be given a referral code.
If you think the symptoms are potentially critical, like a heart attack, stroke, or major trauma, do not delay in phoning an ambulance or getting the patient to the Emergency Department if you can.
Urgent Care (GP) Out of Hours
This is for patients who cannot wait until their GP surgery reopens. It is open on weekdays, 6pm to 8am, weekends and bank holidays Tel: 028 3839 9201. The majority of patients will receive telephone advice, some will be given a face to face appointment at a base and a smaller number may require a home visit.