Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash has intervened to force Derbyshire Community Health Services (DCHS) NHS Trust to change their strict appointment only policy at Ilkeston Community Hospital’s (ICH) Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
Before Maggie’s intervention, Erewash residents would arrive at the hospital in need of urgent care, only to be turned away and told that the service is by appointment only. Many patients were told to visit Ripley UTC. Since being made aware of the issue, Maggie has pressed senior representatives at DCHS Trust to change their rigid policy.
Maggie called a meeting with the CEO of the Trust, Ms Tracey Allen, and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Dean Wallace. At the meeting it was outlined that the measures currently in place are temporary, due to a shortage of staff and a recruitment drive is currently ongoing.
Maggie said: “Time and again I was contacted by frustrated Erewash residents who had been turned away from Ilkeston Community Hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre.
“I am delighted that now, thanks to my intervention, the hospital has committed to reverting to the system of walk-ins and appointments at the earliest opportunity once new staff have been trained.
“Any resident in need of medical help should phone 111 or access online at 111.nhs.uk to be signposted to the most appropriate place to get help for their symptoms.
“Erewash residents must be provided with a service they deserve, and I am pleased that DCHS has changed their protocol. I hope that the UTC can return to its normal operating procedure – of walk-in and appointments - in due course.
“I would like to thank the CEO of the Trust, Ms Tracey Allen, and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Dean Wallace, for meeting with me to reach this common-sense solution.”
Whilst patients making an appointment through 111 will remain the main and speediest access route to the UTC, until the new staff are fully embedded, any patient arriving at the UTC will now not be turned away.