Extra events give people more chance to have their say on urgent and emergency care

More local events have been organised to help people from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent discuss their views on urgent care. 

They are part of an exercise to gather views on local urgent and emergency care services. People are also invited to complete an online survey. 

A series of events have already taken place. Now two more meetings have been organised in areas of high demand.

One is at Cannock Leisure Centre Chase Leisure Centre, Stafford Road, Cannock, WS11 4AL from 6-8pm on Wednesday 9 October.

There has also been a second meeting organised for Leek, using a larger venue, and this is already fully subscribed.

Meetings have already been held in Burton, Hednesford, Stoke-on-Trent and Codsall.

Other events are being held which people can book onto using this online registration form are at: 

Lichfield, Wednesday 25 September, 10am to 12pm 
Lichfield Guildhall, Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LU 

Tamworth, Monday 30 September 2024, 1pm to 3pm 
Tamworth Castle Hotel, Lady Bank, Tamworth, B79 7NB 

Stafford, Wednesday 2 October 2024, 10am to 12pm 
Entrust at The Riverway Centre, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3TH 

Dr Steve Fawcett, a GP and Clinical Director of Urgent and Emergency Care for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re really grateful to the people who have already attended events and have filled in our online survey.

“Residents have told us that with the current mix of urgent care services it’s not always clear which is the most appropriate service to use. That means they often go to an emergency department instead, where they will face a long wait if their condition is not a medical emergency. 

“Urgent care is care which is needed that day but isn’t an emergency which threatens life or limb. Our urgent treatment centres will be geared to providing that, offering people help for a range of minor injuries and illnesses. 

“We have worked with hospital trusts and all other partners to review our services against the nationally mandated standards for UTCs. 

“The development of UTCs will help make sure patients get seen in the right place at the right time, and this exercise will help us to further develop our plans.” 

Residents can fill in the online survey or easy read survey, both of which will be open until Sunday 6 October. As well as the meetings listed above, there will be other meetings held with groups representing a range of local residents and communities as well as pop-up events at a variety of venues. 

If you have not been able to attend one of the events but still want to give your views, please complete the survey or contact us on mlcsu.involvement@nhs.net or by calling 0333 150 3069