Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) have been working closely with our hospital trust providers and other partners to review urgent and emergency care services against the national standards for urgent treatment centres (UTCs).

UTCs are designed to offer care to people with minor illnesses or injuries, whose needs are urgent (same day) but not life-threatening.

They want to make improvements so you can have a better experience when you need urgent care or go to an emergency department (ED – also known as A&E or casualty).

The current mix of urgent care services can be confusing, it’s not always clear which is the most appropriate service to use. As a result, people sometimes go to EDs with more minor conditions, often waiting a long time for treatment. This adds pressure to our emergency services – which could be avoided.

To tackle these challenges and help everyone get to the right place, first time, for the right advice or treatment, whether this is through our urgent and emergency care facilities, pharmacies or self-care, GP practices, via a dentist or by accessing mental health support.

Our UEC Strategy aims to make sure everyone receives help and treatment in the place best suited to their needs, so they get the best health outcomes.

They want to hear from you 0 patients and the public across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent through an online survey, which asks about people’s experiences of using UEC, and they”ll be holding meetings from August July through to early October.

Our strategy for improving urgent and emergency care

This includes:

• Support with self-care – sharing guidance about when it’s sensible to look after yourself at home, and where to seek help if your condition changes.
• Making sure everyone knows about urgent care available outside of hospital – including pharmacies and the Pharmacy First service, GP out-of-hours services, urgent dental care, urgent eye care and mental health support
• Support around using NHS 111 to be directed to the best service for help  – online, by phone or using the NHS app
• Providing urgent care services that are consistent, offer treatment quickly, and are easier to understand.

Getting involved

For the survey, details of meetings, and information you can download, visit the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB webpage.

The proposals explained in the online documents remain as proposals, and no final decisions have been made.