New urgent care service to launch in Rutland

A new region-wide urgent care service will launch next month.

The joint service aims to provide patients in Rutland and east Leicestershire with greater access to healthcare for injuries and illnesses that need treating that day, but are not life threatening.

It was developed by the East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group after extensive consultation during 2014 and through on-going engagement with patients, GPs and other healthcare professionals, as well as key partners including Healthwatch Leicestershire and Healthwatch Rutland.

Governing body member and clinical lead on urgent care Dr Girish Purohit said: “We are really pleased to be able to provide this new service which I feel will be of great benefit to the local population.

“People told us they wanted to be treated locally and quickly for injuries and illnesses that need to be seen that day but are not emergencies and this service does just that.

“It replaces a disjointed service where some patients had access to urgent care services locally, but the opening times varied depending on where in the area you lived. From 1 April, opening times will be extended and consistent and access to services will be seven days a week.”

During opening hours people can access treatment through their GP practice or at the Oadby Urgent Care Centre. During evenings, weekends and bank holidays they can visit urgent care centres in Oakham, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Oadby.

The new service will be run by Northern Doctors Urgent Care, which was selected after a thorough procurement process involving local GPs.

The services will be available during the following times:

○ Weekdays, 8am to 6.30pm: GP practices.

○ Weekdays, 8am to 9pm: Oadby Urgent Care Centre.

○ Weekdays, 8.30am to 5pm: Rutland Memorial Hospital, Oakham, and Market Harborough District Hospital.

○ Weekdays, 5pm to 9pm; weekends and bank holidays, 9am to 7pm: Rutland Memorial Hospital, Oakham, Melton Mowbray Hospital and Market Harborough District Hospital.

Visit www.eastleicestershireandrutlandccg.nhs.uk for more.