Treatment centres have hours permanently reduced

Two East Yorkshire Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) will continue to operate reduced opening times.

The sites in Goole and Bridlington saw their hours reduced from 07:00 to 23:00 to 07:00 to 20:00 in March 2022.

Now the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said the change will remain.

The ICB said the reduction was due to "sustained low demand in late evenings, and staffing pressures."

It added: "Operational data shows local demand for urgent treatment after 20:00 is very low and does not justify extending the service to 23:00. This trend has remained stable throughout the temporary period.

"During the period of reduced hours, no formal complaints have been recorded relating to the earlier closing times."

The board said the change was introduced after a public consultation.

The ICB's clinical lead Dr Nigel Wells said: "We fully appreciate the strength of feeling in Bridlington and Goole and want to thank people for sharing their thoughts. We acknowledge some people wanted to see longer opening hours.

He added: "This decision ensures the right blend of care – focusing clinical staff where patients need them most.

"We will continue to monitor population changes and demand closely, and we remain committed to revisiting the model if future needs evolve, and in line with ongoing discussions on how neighbourhood health fits together with existing systems in our localities."

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