Public consultation on Urgent Treatment Centres and GP out-of-hours services
The NHS is working to improve how health services are delivered so that people can access the right care more quickly, more easily and closer to home. These changes are needed to respond to growing demand on services, an increasing population, and the rising number of people living longer with complex or long-term health conditions.
Community urgent care services play an important role in helping people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time when they are unwell or injured but do not need emergency care. In Birmingham and Solihull, these services include Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) and GP out-of-hours services.
However, patients and the public have told us that these services can be difficult to understand and access, with differences in opening hours, locations, appointment systems and the range of care available. This can cause confusion and, at times, lead people to attend hospital emergency departments when they could be treated elsewhere.
To address these challenges, the NHS is investing in new Urgent Treatment Centres at hospitals and reviewing existing community urgent care services across Birmingham and Solihull. This review looks at how services can be more consistent, easier to access and better aligned to the needs of local communities – now and in the future.
We are now seeking views on two possible options for how community urgent care services could change. Both options aim to improve people’s experience, make better use of NHS staff and resources, and support national plans to strengthen care closer to home while reducing pressure on hospitals. Each option would improve services in different ways and in different areas.
No decisions have yet been made. We want to hear from local people. Patients, carers, NHS staff, community organisations and residents are encouraged to explore the information on this webpage and share their views to help shape the future of community urgent care services in Birmingham and Solihull.
Have your say by completing the survey
Attend one of the consultation events
