The pilot, proposed by South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) aims to improve access to community-based minor injury services by increasing the range of services available at local GP practices.
Minor injury treatment will be delivered by practice-based nurses supported by GPs, the CCG said. Additional staffing and resources will be put in place to provide the necessary extra capacity.
GP practices would continue to provide all of their current services, including those for minor illness, long-term conditions and general family practice, and would be open 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
Dr Ann Sephton, deputy clinical chair and lead for emergency and urgent care at South Gloucestershire CCG, explained: “People have told us they want better access to their GP practices and better access to urgent care services in the community. This new service aims to deliver both – through a GP practice-based model delivered at surgeries throughout South Gloucestershire.”
The proposed minor injuries service would treat injuries including sprains and strains, cuts and grazes, minor fractures, minor burns and scalds, bites, minor eye injuries and minor head injuries.
The practice nurses would not treat major injuries or illnesses, for example those needing immediate plastering or crutches, severe breathlessness, severe abdominal pain, severe chest pain or strokes.
“We believe our proposal is the best and most cost-effective option for improving local access to minor injury services in South Gloucestershire and I urge people to help shape the service by sharing their views before the pilot launches later in 2015,” she added.
The CCG launched a survey to get local peoples feedback yesterday and a formal decision on whether to proceed with the pilot will be considered by the CCG’s governing body in September.
