In 2016, Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership began a review of how we provide out of hours urgent care in Fife, developing a system that would ensure safe, effective and sustainable services across Fife.
Following two years of analysing data, developing services and consulting and engaging with staff, communities, community groups and organisations, the Integration Joint Board agreed a new model of care at their meeting in June 2019.
What do we mean by out of hours urgent care?
This is care that is provided when your GP surgery or pharmacy is closed. This might be for chest infections, urinary tract infections, district nurse care for someone receiving palliative care at home, a child with a high temperature that is not reducing with the medicines you have at home or a minor injury.
What’s changing?
From 4 November 2019, we will begin to implement a more flexible, integrated and multi-disciplinary team approach, working from three centres and supported by home visits.
How to access urgent care out of hours
To ensure everyone gets seen by the right person and in the right place, please talk before you walk and call NHS 24 (111 – free number) first. There are a few ways you will be supported depending on your needs:
- an advice call from a GP, nurse or paramedic
- an appointment at a centre with a GP, nurse or paramedic
- receive a home visit from a GP, nurse, paramedic or district nurse.
Dr Helen Hellewell, Associate Medical Director said, “We have worked closely with healthcare professionals, staff and our communities and I believe we have developed a model of care that puts safety front and centre, and that it is sustainable now and in the future for the whole of Fife. Calling 111 first, before travelling to one of the centres, will ensure you are seen by the right person and in the right place.”
Nicky Connor, Director of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership thanked staff and community representatives noting, “I want to thank staff and the public for their patience. Working together with colleagues and communities to design this service together has been key to developing new rotas and ways of working so that Fife has a flexible, safe and responsive service. Our new model will ensure that we can continue to see people in the right place, at the right time and by the right professionals.”
