Solihull Hospital's urgent treatment centre (UTC) could be upgraded to meet national standards following an NHS review, councillors have been informed. The NHS Birmingham and Solihull conducted a public consultation on the future of urgent treatment centres and GP out-of-hours services.
Current Services and Proposed Changes
UTCs provide medical help for non-life-threatening emergencies, while out-of-hours services offer urgent primary treatment when GP practices are closed. Solihull's UTC and out-of-hours GPs are currently based at Solihull Hospital on Lode Lane.
At a recent meeting of Solihull Council's health and adult social care scrutiny board, councillors heard that patients were often confused about the services offered, leading many to wrongly attend A&E instead. The aim is to make the system clearer.
Two options were presented in the public consultation. While some Birmingham locations may see changes, Dr Barbara King, senior responsible officer for the review, stated: "Under both proposals Solihull UTC remains at its current location at Solihull Hospital. In both options there is a proposal to upgrade Solihull UTC so that it fully meets national NHS UTC standards."
Key Upgrades for Solihull UTC
- Open 7 days a week, at least 12 hours a day
- Accept both walk-in patients and those booked through NHS 111
- Treat minor injuries and minor illnesses
- See patients of all ages
- Accept ambulance arrivals when appropriate
- Access to patient records
- Use clearer signs to help patients understand the UTC's purpose
Dr King explained: "Under the proposal there would be clearer more joined up approach of one service, one triage process, one reception. Patients would either be treated or redirected to the most appropriate service."
Concerns Over Consultation Engagement
Councillor Edward Fitter welcomed the plan for ambulances to attend Solihull Hospital but asked for specifics. Dr King said work is underway to determine which cases, but noted: "That may well be more elderly patients, falls and simple fractures that can be managed by an UTC."
Several councillors raised concerns about low engagement in the consultation, which saw only 1,633 participants. Board chairperson Councillor Shahin Ashraf said: "Your consultation ran for 10 weeks. On February 25 you had one meeting with one attendee. I'm struggling with the figures."
Philip Johns, chief executive officer at NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board, acknowledged the issue and said they would review future public engagement. "We already work with partners in Solihull and will see if we can learn in terms of future consultations," he added.
The Birmingham & Solihull Integrated Care Board is expected to make a final decision on the changes later this year. The meeting took place at the Civic Suite on June 9.
