Norwich: New Unit To Tackle Busy A & E

27 January 2014, 06:00

A new Urgent Care Unit has been set up at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich, to help deal with winter illnesses and take pressure off A&E.

It's a pilot scheme that's being rolled out for three months after two successful trial weekends. It's aimed at taking pressure off the A and E department. People who go to hospital with minor illnesses or injuries and don't need to be seen by a specialist will be able to be treated here instead.

The unit is staffed by nurses and is located outside A and E.

The temporary unit has been erected in the car park in front of the Accident and Emergency department. 

The idea is to help people with minor injuries and illnesses to promptly access the care they need, before being helped to return home as soon as is appropriate. Meanwhile, patients who need hospital care will be admitted to the main hospital.