New primary care service in Cambs and north Herts

Patients in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Oundle, Wansford and Royston are using a new NHS 111 and GP out of hours urgent care scheme as of this week.

The Integrated Urgent Care Service began yesterday (Wednesday, 19^th October) and will allow patients who need to see a clinician to speak to, or meet a clinician within a minimum of four hours or sooner. Herts Urgent Care (HUC) is running the service, and already runs 111 in Hertfordshire.

Current out of hours service bases will continue to be used, but doctors will be available for longer into the evening. Health professionals will be able to get through to colleagues in the 111 services for support and advice via a dedicated option in the phone system and bypass the screening questions.

Patients who need mental health support will be able to press option two to speak to a member of the mental health crisis team.

And changes have also been made to include easier access for hard of hearing groups, clearer pathways for patients at the end of their lives, pharmacist prescribing for weekends and bank holidays and advice for patients with mental health problems.

Published 20th October, 2016