represent SMBC as a stakeholder governor on the Birmingham and Solihull Council of Governors and can share some excellent news for the borough.
The NHS has approved the major transformation of urgent care services across Birmingham and Solihull with £33 million investment in new facilities. The decision, made by NHS Birmingham and Solihull, follows an extensive two-year review of Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) and GP out-of-hours services, including a 10-week public consultation earlier this year.
The new model will provide seven UTCs across Birmingham and Solihull, alongside new specialist urgent care services in East and West Birmingham and improvements to accessing a GP when GP surgeries are closed at evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
The changes will include:
· Four new hospital-based UTCs at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. This includes a new purpose-built facility at Good Hope Hospital, which will become the permanent home of North Birmingham UTC (previously Warren Farm UTC).
· Three existing community UTCs improved to meet national NHS standards – including Solihull UTC at Solihull Hospital, Erdington UTC at Stockland Green Primary Care Centre and South Birmingham UTC at Katie Road, Selly Oak.
· Redesigned GP out-of-hours services across Birmingham and Solihull, with access through NHS 111 and a combination of remote consultations, face-to-face appointments and home visits, depending on patients’ clinical needs.
Under the new model, all seven UTCs will operate seven days a week, for at least 12 hours a day, treating minor illnesses and injuries in patients of all ages including children.
Patients will be able to walk into a UTC or access an appointment through NHS 111 and ambulance crews will also be able to take patients directly to a UTC where appropriate. All UTCs will provide basic diagnostic tests, have access to patient records and offer clear pathways to further care where needed.
The four hospital-based UTCs will help ensure that patients attending hospital with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions are directed to the most appropriate service, while Accident & Emergency departments remain focused on those needing emergency care.
About Urgent Treatment Centres
UTCs provide care for urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Under the new model, all seven centres will meet national NHS standards, including:
· Open seven days a week, for at least 12 hours a day.
· Offer walk-in access and pre-booked appointments through NHS 111.
· Treat minor illnesses and injuries in patients of all ages, including children under two.
· Provide basic diagnostic tests and clear pathways to further care where needed.
· Accept patients brought directly by ambulance where appropriate.
· Have access to patient records to support joined-up care.
