The existing minor injuries unit at Petersfield Community Hospital been enhanced and is now an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).

What is an Urgent Treatment Centre?

UTCs are community and primary care facilities providing access to urgent care for a predominantly local population. They encompass current Walk-in Centres, Minor Injuries Units, Urgent Care Centres, and all other similar facilities for people with an urgent – but not an emergency – health need. They are GP-led.

When will the UTC be open?

The UTC will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including bank holidays, from 8am to 8pm.

What facilities will the UTC have?

Patients will be able to access a GP-led UTC which will typically be staffed by GPs, nurses and other clinicians, with access to simple diagnostics and tests, including urinalysis (a test of your urine to detect and manage a wide range of disorders), an electrocardiogram (ECGs record the electrical activity of your heart) and X-rays for suspected broken bones so that all localities would have a consistent offer for out-of-hospital urgent care, with the option of appointments booked through a call to NHS 111 and offering a range of services including emergency contraception. UTCs will work alongside other parts of the urgent care network including primary care, community pharmacists, ambulance and other community-based services to provide a locally accessible and convenient alternative to ED for patients who do not need to attend an acute hospital. They will also work very closely with the Emergency Department so that appropriate onward referrals can be made quickly and safely.

How do I access the services at Petersfield?

The UTC will have appointment slots throughout opening hours. Patients are encouraged to contact NHS 111 online or by phone to access urgent treatment services. A range of clinical professionals will be available to speak to callers, and when a patient needs an appointment at the UTC or other service, an appointment time will be booked directly for them – which will further reduce waiting times on site. UTCs will also take referrals from the ambulance service and GP practices or via their own reception staff. Patients who walk in without a pre-booked appointment will be seen if appropriate but may be referred elsewhere if that is deemed safe and more appropriate.

So can I walk in?

Yes. You will be clinically assessed by a nurse or other trained health professional but would only be prioritised for treatment over pre-booked appointments where this is clinically necessary. Patients who have a pre-booked appointment should be seen and treated within 30 minutes of their appointment or arrival time.

How quickly will I be seen at the new UTC?

By calling 111 first and booking an appointment you can reduce your waiting time and prevent overcrowding in communal waiting areas. This appointment will be within four hours of you making the call or using the online service. The 111 service also works closely with local GP services, offering routine and same-day appointments, and out-of-hours general practice for both urgent and routine needs. It will also take appointment requests from the ambulance service. If you can’t call 111 or use the App don’t worry as you can still walk in, but you may have to wait to be seen as they will always see patients in order to urgency not in the order of when you arrive.

Will all appointments be face-to-face?

Whilst many appointments will be face-to-face, some consultations may be carried out by telephone or video consultations, if appropriate to do so and/or to help social distancing. The clinician you talk to may decide that you don’t need a further appointment to see anyone face-to-face and may be able to give you advice and guidance on how to help you get better by yourself (self-care) without having to go to a UTC, ED or primary care. However, if you do need to see someone face to face then they can book an appointment time for you at the place best able to deal with what you need.