Public meetings and drop-in sessions have been organised so people can find out more about proposals to improve urgent care - treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening.

NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group wants to make the changes so that anyone who needs an urgent GP practice appointment would get one within 24 hours and mostly the same day.

The proposals, if given the go-ahead, would also lead to two new urgent treatment centres in the city to replace the walk-in centre and minor injuries unit.

The CCG is consulting on the plans until December 18, 2017, before all the feedback is independently analysed and presented to its Governing Body for a decision next year.

Dr Tim Moorhead, the chair of the CCG, said: “People have told us over the past two years that they find the current system confusing and don’t know where to go when they need urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries.

“Some people find it hard to get an urgent GP appointment when they need one. We don’t think this is good enough and want to make it easier for people to get the care they need.

“These proposals would guarantee an urgent appointment for people who need it within 24 hours - and mostly the same day. They would also lead to two new urgent treatment centres in the city.

“A less confusing system for people to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and for most of the time, closer to their home.”

In summary, the proposals are to:

• Change the way people get urgent GP appointments
  Groups of GP practices will work together to offer urgent appointments within 24 hours. People will be assessed to decide if they need to see their own GP or can be seen by at a different GP practice in their local area.

• Change where people would go for minor illness and injuries
  Currently, there is a walk-in centre in the city centre which treats adult and child minor illnesses and a minor injuries unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital that deals with adult minor injuries, while children with minor injuries are seen at the emergency department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. These would be replaced with two urgent treatment centres at Northern General Hospital and Sheffield Children’s Hospital which would offer booked appointments as well as walk-in appointments.

• Change where people go for urgent eye care
  Currently, adults needing either urgent or emergency eye care are seen at the Emergency Eye Clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. In the future, emergency eye care (for sight-threatening conditions) would continue to be provided at the hospital. Urgent appointments would be offered at locations across the city with extended opening times, making it easier for people to get care closer to where they live.

• Improve the way people access services
  These changes would be supported by an improved system where people can contact their practice or 111 and be assessed over the phone. They will then be booked an appointment or signposted to the right place for the care they need.

The public meetings are on:

Tuesday 24 October - 6-8pm - Broomhill Methodist Church, 281-283 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BD 

Thursday 23 November - 6-8pm - The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield S1 4FW

Wednesday 6 December - 1.30-3.30pm - Carers Centre, Concept House, 5 Young Street, Sheffield S1 4UP

The drop-in sessions are on:

Friday 27 October - 10am - 2pm - Stocksbridge Library, Manchester Road, Sheffield S36 1DH

Wednesday 1 November - 10am - 5:30pm - Manor Library, Ridgeway Road, Sheffield S12 2SS

Monday 6 November - 10am - 5:30pm - Crystal Peaks Library,1-3 Peak Square, Sheffield S20 7PH

Tuesday 14 November - 9:30am - 5:30pm - Firth Park Library, 443 Firth Park Road, Sheffield S5 6QQ

You can read the full consultation document, with details on all the options, at www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk