WATCH: GPs to staff new 'Urgent Treatment Centre'

Wednesday 15 April 2020

An ‘Urgent Treatment Centre’ staffed by GPs has opened at the hospital to ease pressure on the Emergency Department throughout the health crisis.

Based in the Gwyneth Huelin Wing, the new facility aims to treat more minor injuries and illnesses that would normally be handled in A&E between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 seven days a week.

Accessing the facility is free, but islanders will be expected to pay if their treatment could have been managed by a GP in the community.

The Gwyneth Huelin Wing has now become the ‘entrance’ to the hospital, with all incoming patients and visitors being screened for covid-19 symptoms outside.

Video: The hospital's new entrance procedure.

This will involve taking their temperature and asking a series of questions to establish if they have symptoms.

Anyone suspected to have covid-19 and in need of urgent treatment will be assessed in a separate part of the UTC, away from those needing urgent treatment without symptoms.

Islanders arriving to the hospital by ambulance will attend the Emergency Department as usual.

Medical Director for Health Dr Patrick Armstrong commented: “As the spread of COVID-19 is evident throughout our community, now is the right time to launch the Urgent Treatment Centre, which will play an invaluable part in supporting our emergency care pathway. We would like to thank all colleagues involved for enabling HCS and GP colleagues to provide this service in Jersey.” 

An Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) has opened today at Jersey General Hospital to offer Islanders the urgent care they need, while ensuring that our Emergency Department only treats genuine emergencies. (1/ pic.twitter.com/aNtkitBPnn

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) April 14, 2020

The UTC is being staffed by GPs, after more than 100 from across 13 practices signed a “landmark” agreement to join the Health Department and assist in its fight against covid-19 over the next four months.

Their responsibilities will include:

• Sustaining Primary Care services to support out of hospital care where possible;
• Working with Jersey’s ambulance service 24/7 to help treat patients in situ;
• Working alongside hospital teams in A&E and the UTC;
• Providing enhanced support for care homes across the island;
• And sharing their specialist skills to provide cover for hospital colleagues. 

“The fast-moving coronavirus pandemic can seem daunting, but it gives us the opportunity to come together as one health system and offer the people of Jersey the best of health services at this unique time in our history,” Dr Adrian Noon, Health’s Medical Director for Primary Care, explained.

“It also stabilises GP practices and brings skilled experts directly into Health and Community Services. We are pleased and proud to work with our GP colleagues.” 

Outside of the UTC’s operational hours, The GP out-of-hours service (contactable on 445445) will continue as normal outside of the UTC’s opening times, while the A&E will continue to see emergencies as usual.