POSTERS may go up at York Hospital's Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, telling patients how quickly they might be seen at an NHS walk-in centre.
The A&E department at the hospital has a target of admitting, transferring or discharging patients within four hours.
It is felt they could be offered more choice in their treatment if they knew that most patients are seen by a nurse within one hour of arrival at the Walk-in Centre in Monkgate, York.
Health chiefs are keen to point out that patients who are in need of emergency care by doctors are right to go to A&E.
However it is also hoped that by streaming patients in the correct way and directing them to the most suitable care for their condition, all services will be improved, waiting times will come down and emergency care will become more efficient.
The information posters are just one possible idea to be discussed over the next year as part of Reforming Emergency Care (REC) - part of the NHS Plan - which is due to be in force by December 2004.
Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) is responsible for leading the REC agenda and PCT board members discussed the issue yesterday.
The York Health Services NHS Trust, which operates York Hospital, was discussing the issue at its meeting today.
Jeremy Clough, acting chief executive of the PCT, said there were many aspects of emergency care that needed to be looked at, such as why waiting times varied at different centres, how to inform people of the best option for them, and whether there would come a time when ambulance staff would take people to the Walk-in Centre rather than a hospital A&E.
He said: "There's evidence to show that if you can stream people better the department would work much more effectively."
Gary Hardman, director of nursing and workforce development at the PCT, said in a report to board members: "The aim is to provide patients with better access to services at a time when their need for care is most urgent, across a 24-hour period.
"It will mean simpler, more streamlined access to emergency services, including more primary care-based services for minor complaints."
Updated: 08:45 Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article