October 3, 2019 1.16 pm This story is over 53 months old

New model to replace Urgent Care Centres at Louth and Skegness hospitals

It launches later this month

Stock picture.

The emergency Urgent Care Centres at Louth and Skegness hospitals will be replaced with a new model which will prioritise patients with appointments.

The current Urgent Care Centres in Louth and Skegness will become Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) as part of new national plans. UTCs are facilities people can visit if they need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

These sites will offer bookable appointments via NHS111, treating minor illness and injury in adults and children of all ages and have access to diagnostic facilities that will usually include an X-ray machine.

Patients will still be able to walk into UTCs without an appointment, but people with pre-booked appointments will be seen first unless there is a clinical priority.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will provide the Urgent Treatment Centres. Louth will operate as a UTC from Monday, October 14 and Skegness from Tuesday, October 15.

Tracy Pilcher, Director of Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Operations at LCHS, said: “We are pleased to announce the implementation of Louth and Skegness Urgent Treatment Centres.

“The UTCs in Louth and Skegness offer a broader range of services and now include the option to book appointments through NHS111. These UTCs will continue to compliment the other health services available to the public in Lincolnshire.”

The following two events are being held for anyone who would like to talk about Urgent Treatment Centres:

  • The Thoresby Suite at County Hospital, High Holme Road, Louth – Tuesday, October 29 from 2.30pm-4.30pm
  • The Storehouse, North Parade, Skegness – Wednesday, October 30 from 2.30pm-4.30pm

UTCs are staffed by multi-disciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, therapists and other professionals with at least one person trained in advanced life support for adults and children.

Click here for further information on the NHS guidance for Urgent Treatment Centres.