Health Minister, today officially opened the
new Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at the Ulster Hospital.
The Urgent Care Centre - which is open seven days a week from
8.00am to 6.00pm - is designed to separate and treat non-critical
cases from those that need to attend the Emergency Department.
Welcoming the expansion to the Ulster hospital the Health
Minister said: “The new Urgent Care Centre is purpose
built and represents a major change to
unscheduled care services at the Ulster Hospital, helping to
deliver modern healthcare to the population in the South Eastern
Health and Social Care Trust area.
“Through its integration with the Emergency Department
(ED), the Urgent Care centre will also improve patient flow,
reduce ED pressures and optimise care. It will not only enhance
but will significantly improve the patients' experience.
Therefore, they will be seen in the right place, by the right
people at the right time, and that will lead to better outcomes
for patients.
“It represents a significant capital and service
development and advances my Department's commitment to
implementing the recommendations of the Emergency and Urgent Care
Review which highlighted the need to better integrate Urgent and
Emergency Care in Trusts, which this investment
delivers.”
The Centre operates a walk-in service which is open to patients
seven days a week, 8.00am to 6.00pm, without prior
appointment.
However, from Monday to Friday patients can make an appointment,
if required for a minor injury, by using the Phone First service
between the hours of 8.00am to 5.00pm, but this is not mandatory
and they can attend without contacting the hospital beforehand.
The Chief Executive of the South Eastern Trust, Roisin Coulter
said: “We are delighted to welcome the Health Minister to
officially open the Urgent Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital.
This facility is a key part of our commitment to delivering safe,
timely and effective care for patients. The teams working in this
state-of-the art, purpose-built facility, will be able to assess
and treat a range of minor injuries and patients requiring urgent
care.
“I would like to thank all of our staff for their dedication and
commitment to developing this fantastic Centre.”
The Minister concluded: “I am delighted to open the
Urgent Care Centre today. It is much needed and will serve the
community greatly. The facilities are modern, first class and
will help to deliver the appropriate care to patients.”
Notes to Editors:
- The opening of the UCC follows the transfer of minor injuries
from the Bangor and Ards hospitals and the opening of a new ED at
the Ulster Hospital in 2023.
- It delivers on the Department's strategy for improving
unscheduled care and it completes the new build Acute Services
Block.
- The Phone First triage service is available Monday to
Friday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, where patients will be given an
appointment if appropriate. This service can be accessed by
calling (028) 9151 0110.
- As part of the No More Silos programme, the Department of
Health has invested £32m across a range of initiatives for
emergency care including Rapid Access, Phone First and the Urgent
Care Centres/Urgent Care streams in Emergency Departments.
