Clinical hubs help thousands avoid A&E, says NHS

Clinical hubs can arrange alternative care for patients avoiding the need for an ambulance response

The NHS says it has avoided thousands of A&E admissions by ambulance, hospital and community trust teams working together in hubs to support patients.

South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) has established seven multi-discipline clinical hubs designed to ensure patients are receiving the right response when they call 999 or NHS 111.

The Unscheduled Care Navigation Hubs involve Secamb paramedics working alongside A&E consultants, as well as community specialists and other medical professionals, to improve patient care.

Secamb chief operating officer Jennifer Allan said: "This partnership approach to care is key to ensuring patients receive the right help, first time."

"While we are busy all year round, we know that Christmas and the winter period can bring additional pressure on us and the wider NHS," she said.

"I'm pleased that we have been able to set up the additional clinical hubs as planned and in line with our new clinically-led strategy. This partnership approach to care is key to ensuring patients receive the right help, first time."

The clinical hubs were initially trialled in Paddock Wood and Ashford in Kent.

Secamb opened further hubs in Rochester in Kent, and Polegate and Brighton in Sussex, in October, and two virtual model hubs covering east and west Surrey in Banstead and Tongham.

In its first year in operation Secamb said the hub at Paddock Wood helped avoid more than 1,200 emergency department admissions.

The team said it also handled more than 3,600 clinical consultations which resulted in supporting approximately 200 medical and surgical same-day emergency care appointments and arranging around 200 GP appointments in emergency departments on behalf of patients.

This Christmas and New Year the public is being urged to only call 999 in an emergency and make use of alternatives for more minor complaints, including speaking to a GP or pharmacist or by visiting NHS 111 Online for help and advice.