Patients have shared their experiences after using an urgent treatment centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
When theatre support worker Marie Muir began experiencing a sudden, concerning eczema flare-up while at work at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, she knew that she could be seen quickly at the hospital’s urgent treatment centre (UTC).
She said: “I was sitting at my desk when my eczema suddenly started spreading up my neck and my arms.
“I’m on antibiotics from my GP, but for it to be spreading, I was concerned and so thought it was best to be seen and be safe.
“I waited a little while but the treatment has been great. I would only go to the emergency department if I’m bleeding or in a life-threatening emergency, but it’s great to have a facility such as this where you go to be seen for other issues.
“I would say to anyone to consider UTCs if you need urgent help and can’t get a GP appointment. They are so good here and work really hard.”
Canterbury resident Tilayo attended the UTC at Kent and Canterbury Hospital with her young son, Felix.
She said: "I had been to this centre before and knew it was good. We was there for about 30 minutes, and the treatment was great. I would recommend it. The doctor prescribed medication for Felix and sent it to a pharmacy."
Joanne Jones, from Canterbury, travelled to the UTC in Canterbury after suffering with a severe earache.
She said: “The doctor and nurses were amazing. I didn’t wait for long and I feel better now that it’s sorted.
“From start to finish, I was in the UTC for about 45 minutes. That’s really good considering the waiting room was full when we got there. I thought it would be a long wait, but I left very happy.
“I have children, and they are always injuring themselves somehow, so I’ve been here a few times.
“This is always my next option if I can’t get seen by my GP or somewhere else. I know that when we’re not well, we can take it out on staff and those trying to help us, but they’re normally amazing up here. I would tell anyone coming just to be patient. Everyone here is trying their best.”
Angela Jones, nurse at Kent and Canterbury Hospital's UTC, said: “There is lots of confusion about what needs can be met at a UTC. People may see ‘urgent’ and perceive we are the same as A&E, but we are not. We provide primary care services here from 8 am to midnight; after that, it’s exclusively nurse-led minor injuries [from midnight to 8 am].
“People can come here for any number of things, including minor illnesses and injuries. It’s on the day presentation, management, and discharge.”
Lead emergency care practitioner Jacek Sokulski added: “It is important for the public to be educated on their health conditions and the options for treatments, so they can make decisions for themselves rather than going to their nearest emergency department.
“If you are mobile and you need help on the same day, then that is exactly what we’re here for.
“If you have a centralised chest pain, if it’s radiating somewhere and you feel clammy and sweaty or are short of breath, that’s a 999 call.”
Marie Muir, theatre support worker
Jacek Sokulski, Darren Gore and Angela Jones (left to right)