Health bosses are giving people in Sunderland more time to share their views on a proposed shake-up of hospital services.
NHS Sunderland’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) unveiled plans in May for changes to urgent care services in the city. They included a proposal to make urgent care services available at just one site in the city, Pallion Health Centre. A public consultation on the plans had been due to last until August 12, but has now been extended until Sunday, September 2.
Over 1,700 people have already shared their views, with nine public and two online events having taken place in Sunderland. Dr Tracey Lucas, of Sunderland CCG, said: “Our focus since the start of the consultation has been on ensuring that as many people as possible know about the proposed changes to urgent care services.
“It is so important that people feedback their views, concerns and ideas – that’s why we’re giving you even more time to have your say. “We need to work together to ensure the final outcome is the right one for the people of Sunderland.
Under the proposals, patients needing treatment on injuries which are not life-threatening could be treated at Pallion Health Centre – which is next to Sunderland Royal Hospital – and some GP practices on evenings and weekends. People would be assessed by their practice or 111 to decide if they need to be seen at their own practice for continuity of care or if they can be seen at the Sunderland Extended Access Service, with five extended access hubs to be available.
The CCG says it is particularly keen to hear people’s thoughts on where the Extended Access Service should be located, what the opening hours of the Extended Access Service and Urgent Treatment Centre should be, whether the Extended Access Service and Urgent Treatment Centre should be joined up at Pallion, and whether they feel anything has been missed in the proposals. A public event which was due to be held tomorrow has been rearranged to avoid a clash with England’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
Results from the public consultation period will be used to shape the new service and inform decisions.
Article originally appeared on Sunderland Echo
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