08/10/2021 - Permalink

News from our partners: Feedback sought on NHS 111 and how you access urgent care services in the county

Related topics: Coronavirus / Health / Partner organisations

News from our partners Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Healthwatch

The NHS in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group), Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin wants to hear from local people about NHS 111 and how you access urgent medical care services. We want to understand how you decide which service to use when you need medical help, how you access the services, and what your experiences are.

Urgent care services are for when people need medical advice or treatment for an urgent health condition on the same day. This covers illnesses which are not life threatening but cannot wait until a routine appointment with a GP or other healthcare professional is available. These may be conditions and injuries such as sprains and strains, minor scalds or burns, skin infections, feverish illness or abdominal pain.

It is important that people can get the right care in the right place, whenever they need it. We know that it can be confusing to know which service is the right one to use, and we want to help make this clearer.

The NHS 111 service was launched at the end of 2020 and encourages people with an urgent, but not life-threatening health problem, to contact NHS 111, online or by calling 111, before attending an Emergency Department (A&E). By doing this they can be directed straight to the right service for their needs.

The purpose of NHS 111 is to:

  • Reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission in A&E settings
  • Protect A&E for those whose need is most urgent
  • Signpost and support the public to receive the right care in the right place
  • Reduce the waiting time for treatment.

The NHS 111 service will take some details from patients to ensure they are directed to the right service, first time.

Find out more about NHS 111 here.  

You can share your views by filling in the online survey.

The survey developed by the independent consumer champion Healthwatch (Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin), is for any resident of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG area.

The survey asks people what they think about the service, whether they have used it or not, and asks those who have used it to share more about their experiences. The survey findings will be used by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to make sure NHS 111 and urgent care services work for those residents in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

To request this document in a different language or format, or for any more information please contact Healthwatch.

  • Healthwatch Shropshire: 01743 237884
  • Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin: 01952 739540

Anyone needing help to complete it or who would like to complete it over the phone can call. We are particularly keen to hear from those with a hearing or sight impairment.

Sam Tilley, Director of Planning for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG, said:

“The NHS 111 programme went live at the end of last year and encourages local people to contact NHS 111 before attending A&E so they can be directed straight to the right service for their needs. If you live in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin and had an urgent problem, which you thought might need A&E and used the NHS 111 service in this way since 1 May 2021, we are keen to hear your views of the service.

“Whether you have had a positive or not quite as positive experience of NHS 111, please let us know because it is only through gathering the views of our population that we can build on what is going well and improve on what is not going quite as well. Local people who have used the NHS 111 service can complete the online survey which should take no longer than a few minutes.”

The survey closes on Sunday 28 November 2021 at 5pm. All responses will be anonymous.

For more information visit: Tell us about your experience of seeking urgent medical care – Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG (shropshiretelfordandwrekinccg.nhs.uk)or for help completing the survey call Healthwatch Shropshire – 01743 237884or Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin – 01952 739540,or emailenquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk;     info@healthwatchtelfordandwrekin.co.uk