Urgent care – there when you need it

When you need urgent health care you want a quick and easy way to access the help you need – and Dorset’s new urgent care service aims to make sure that happens.

You can find out more about the Integrated Urgent Care Service, launched in Dorset in April this year, at our Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne on 23 October.

The service, which is available for anyone facing an urgent health problem, is being led by Dorset HealthCare in partnership with local GPs, the ambulance service and the county’s three acute hospitals.

Everyone’s welcome to come and hear more about the service and give views on how it’s working and how it could improve.

The Trust’s AMM is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and achievements of the past 12 months and to look to the future as we roll out ambitious plans for our physical and mental health services.

The main speaker at the meeting will be Dorset HealthCare Medical Director Dr Steve Tomkins, who is also a local GP. He will explain how the service is working including the new 111 phone line service, the online service and the work of the team of healthcare professionals who help you find the care you need.

Lead Governor Jan Owens said: “This is a service that could be needed by anyone at any time so we hope lots of local people will come along to hear more and to tell us what works for them and what we could do better.

“It’s a really good example of how all your local health services are working closely together to make sure people can access the right service at the right time.”

Trust Chair Andy Willis added: “We’re delighted that the Care Quality Commission rated us as ‘outstanding’ this year – this is a great foundation to continue to build on. We know there’s more to do and we’ll be sharing our future plans with our members and the public at the meeting.”