The out-of-hours GP service in Ipswich is set to move to the town's hospital

Ipswich: Out-of-hours GP service will move to Ipswich Hospital

BY LIZZIE PARRY Friday, September 28, 2012
5:14 PM

OUT-of-hours GP services are set to follow the minor injuries unit and move to Ipswich Hospital, The Star can today reveal.

At the trust’s board meeting yesterday, John Watson, director of operations at Ipswich Hospital, said: “We have done the deal.”

Following the minor injuries unit – which moved from the Riverside Clinic in Landseer Road to the hospital’s emergency department in July – the service will relocate to Heath Road.

Responding to councillor Alan Murray’s questions about rumours in the community about the issue, Mr Watson said: “Once the MIU moved here it became logical to have a conversation about the out-of-hours service. It will move to the fracture clinic from 6pm to 8am, a time when the clinic is not operating.

“We have done the deal, it gives us an opportunity to improve patient pathways, if they need to be seen at the emergency department it is just across the way.”

The minor injuries unit at the Riverside Clinic was set up to relieve pressure on Ipswich Hospital’s emergency department, but the decision had resulted in an increased financial burden on the county’s NHS, said NHS Suffolk during the consultation period.

The Ipswich Star contacted Harmoni for comment but they were unavailable.

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5 comments

And there was me thinking that Minor Injuries and the Out Of Hours was originally moved FROM the hospital to cut down waiting times and prioritise patients needs,maybe i was wrong? I have used the riverside clinics and have been a saver for me with my children as it's close by and was a lot quicker than the hospital, Maybe the idiots in charge still need to learn lessons there.Never mind,the patients are just numbers,so no biggie there eh?the reality is it's gonna be the young and the elderly that's gonna feel it the most.When will they learn?!?!

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NatB86

Saturday, September 29, 2012
I like it "the service will relocate to Heath Road." It's called A&E and it's been there for quite a while, got many doctors there as well. Just be easier to say it's closing and just use the hospital. The sooner we sell the NHS the better.

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mr_tall

Friday, September 28, 2012
Its obvious the money once again is coming before the welfare of patients .The riverside closed to save money ...we where assured it would not impact patient care ...Last month my son sustained a injury at work ...normally he would have gone to the Riverside ...probably get seen and treated within the hour then go back to work ....when he Arrived at Heath rd he was advised that the wait would be over 4 hours to be seen and a x ray ...so he drove to the Felixstowe minor injuries to be treated ...It was still quicker and cheaper...

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ukmartian

Friday, September 28, 2012
It may well save the NHS money but it will add more money to their coffers as well, from car parking charges - that is if you will be able to find a parking space.

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The original Victor Meldrew

Friday, September 28, 2012
The losers are the patients... Now they will be waiting hours with all the miu and a&e patients... Racking up a huge car parking bill! Disgraceful profit before care yet again

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Mr Point Ment

Friday, September 28, 2012