An Urgent Care Centre is being built at West Middlesex University Hospital. The centre is due to open in early 2012 and will be based at the front of the accident and emergency department (A&E).
The centre will be open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and will treat a range of minor illnesses and minor injuries that require urgent and immediate attention.
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We will continue to provide a full A&E service during the construction of the centre and aim to minimise any disruption for patients, but there will be some temporary changes in access routes to the A&E department. We appreciate the co-operation and understanding of our patients and apologise for any inconvenience.
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An Urgent Care Centre provides care and treatment for patients with non-life threatening injuries and illnesses that require immediate attention, such as infections, rashes, fractures, stomach upsets, burns or sprains. For less urgent cases, the centre will help patients access a service closer to home such as their GP.
The centre will be staffed by GPs (family doctors) and experienced nurses.
If a patient has a life threatening or serious condition such as a heart attack, stroke, breathing problem or has been involved in a serious accident, they will be seen in the emergency department as they would normally.
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NHS emergency services, such as A&E are under increasing pressure with the number of people going to A&E at West Middlesex steadily rising year on year. 105,000 people were seen in 2010 - that’s 45,000 more than the A&E department was designed for when it opened in 2003.
One out of every four people who currently go to A&E could have either self-treated for minor illnesses and injuries or been treated by other local health services such as a GP, walk-in centre or pharmacist. We want to ensure people are seen by the most appropriate service for their condition.
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On arrival at the Urgent Care Centre, you will be assessed promptly by a GP and a decision will be made as to how best to treat you and who you need to see. If you have a serious or life threatening condition you will be seen immediately in the A&E. If your condition is urgent, you will be seen by a GP or nurse in the Urgent Care Centre. Otherwise, if you do not require immediate medical attention, you will be referred back to your GP or local pharmacist.
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When the Urgent Care Centre opens it will be run by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust. The Trust will work in partnership with the West Middlesex Hospital University NHS Trust who will continue to run the A&E.
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No. We will continue to provide a full emergency service at West Middlesex University Hospital. The Urgent Care Centre will complement this service, ensuring the A&E only sees the people who really need its services.
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