New £7m urgent treatment centre to open in hospital

A new £7m urgent treatment centre (UTC) is opening at a city hospital in a bid to reduce pressure on its emergency department.

Salisbury Hospital's UTC, which will treat patients for minor injuries, fractures and sprains, is due to open in autumn.

Chiefs at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust hope this will allow the emergency department to "focus more fully" on patients with serious or life-threatening conditions.

Nick Johnson, the trust's managing director, said: "It will make it easier for people with urgent health needs to be seen quickly, while also allowing our emergency department teams to focus on those who are most unwell."

UTCs have already opened at other hospitals, including the Royal United Hospital in Bath and Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

Trust leaders said the new centre, funded by NHS England, has been designed to "improve patient flow" so patients can be "seen in the right place by the right team".

Johnson added: "It's a really positive step forward for patients and for our staff."

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