Boost for Local Hospitals

GPs to treat non-urgent cases in A&E departments

GP surgeries are to be set up in Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals to reduce waiting times in the Accident and Emergency departments.  

A team of nearly thirty new doctors will be based at the A&E departments of both hospitals to deal with non-emergency patients who would otherwise be treated in casualty.

The new service will also allow residents from across the borough to register as permanent patients and will offer appointments from 8am to 8pm. The Charing Cross surgery will have GPs available 24 hours a day for urgent walk-in care.

Sarah Whiting, Chief Executive of NHS Hammersmith and Fulham (formerly known as Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Care Trust), said: “We’re creating this new service in response to concerns local people have raised about lack of flexibility in primary care, long waits in A&E, and difficulty knowing what services are available or who to call.

“This is an exciting new service which will mean more doctors and nurses in the borough and more choice and convenience for patients.

She said patients would benefit from a much shorter wait in A&E: “Having GPs on hand at the emergency departments will be a real benefit. A&E teams always need to prioritise the most serious cases, which can mean longer waits for people with non-life threatening problems. This new service will mean the majority of people are seen within one hour.”

Patients will also be able to book longer appointment slots with a GP or nurse - something local people, particularly those with long-term conditions, have said they would like to see made available.

A new 24-hour phone line will allow people to book appointments and home visits with a range of community nursing services, with staff available to direct patients to the most appropriate services for their needs.

The new practices are expected to open for business next April.

December 18, 2008