A public consultation on proposed changes to urgent care has been extended to ensure as many people as possible in the city have the opportunity to share their views.

NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group has decided to extend the current urgent care consultation until January 31, 2018, in direct response to feedback.

Two public meetings have been held so far about the proposed changes to urgent care - treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening.

One was at Broomhill Methodist Church at the end of October and another at The Circle in the city centre on November 23. Another meeting is planned for Wednesday this week (December 6).

Dr Tim Moorhead, chair of NHS Sheffield CCG, said: “We were disappointed with the turnout at Broomhill and while the meeting at the Circle was attended by more people, we know that some concerns have been raised about the level of awareness of the consultation.

“We have also received feedback from the public and other organisations and groups that they would like to receive more information around the proposals and the extension will give us an opportunity to respond to this appropriately.

“I would like to emphasise how important it is that people feedback their views, concerns and ideas – we are listening and need to work together to ensure we have services fit to face the challenges of the future.”

He said the CCG was committed to a meaningful consultation with as many voices from across the city heard as possible – drawn from the different geographies and communities, including hard to reach groups such as homeless people.

“It is important we take the time necessary to ensure the final outcome is the right one for the people of Sheffield.

The deadline was originally December 18 but has now been extended to January 31 next year.

 

In summary, the CCG is consulting on proposals to:

• Improve the way people access services
  Improve the system so people can contact their practice or 111 and be assessed over the phone quickly. They will then be booked an appointment or signposted to the right place for the care they need.

• Change the way people get urgent GP appointments
  Groups of GP practices (known as neighbourhoods) 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 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 – one at Northern General Hospital for adults, treating both minor illness and minor injuries, and one at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for children - which would treat minor illness with minor injuries continuing to be treated at the Children’s Emergency Department. The Urgent Treatment Centres 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, 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. Emergency eye care (for sight-threatening conditions) would continue to be provided at the Hallamshire.

 

More details and an on-line survey are available on the NHS Sheffield CCG website.