Barlow's brief

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(9)
The entrance to Macclesfield Hospital’s A&E department.
The entrance to Macclesfield Hospital’s A&E department.
advertisement

Why are changes at A&E so urgent?

Vic Barlow
27/ 2/2008

QUESTION: When is an Accident and Emergency Department not an Accident and Emergency Department?

Answer: When it’s an ‘Urgent Care Centre.’

Baffled? You shouldn’t be. According to Mike Pyrah, chief executive of the Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust, it’s just an "improvement on the service".

I may be a little slow here, but when my dentist "improved" his surgery he didn’t call it an Oral Hygiene Centre.

When an organisation alters its established name it’s generally an indication of significant change.

"Not so," says Mr Pyrah. "The new Urgent Care Centre will include a walk-in department providing non-emergency treatment 24 hours a day."

Okay, so there may be the occasional odd-bod longing to show off his eczema at 2am, but how many patients are going to turn up in the middle of the night with a ‘non-emergency’?

Mr Pyrah explains: "The current way we provide urgent care isn’t working, but the system of emergency care is working. Whether it is used or not it is required, but I believe it will be used."

Err, yes…right, so what’s it all about then?

"We believe," says Mr Pyrah, "it is the best way of ensuring we don’t confuse people."

Well, thank God for that. Had Mr Pyrah not explained, we’d never have known that the way urgent care is provided isn’t working while the system by which emergency care is provided is working, or whether or not we need a new facility whether it’s used or not.

It’s good to get that cleared up.

Just one more question: If patients can turn up any time of the day or night and see a proper doctor, complete with stethoscope and ‘ah’ stick, why do we need a Super Surgery?

Sorry to be picky but I thought I should ask, especially as your organisation seems to be constantly threatening to close things down…like A&E.

The views expressed on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(9)


Most recent 2 of 9 user comments

   Epsilon, if you read through properly you will see i comment first on numerous stories. Have a look, the story about the giant squid being a prime example.

I am not here to wind anyone up, but seriously some of the comments made on here are the written equivalent of low hanging fruit, easy pickings, fish in a barrel etc, its impossible not to respond........
The Satisfied Customer
10/03/2008 at 10:13
   Just as boardmonitor, from Canada said about The Satisfied Customer “Here to help? I thought you were just here to annoy and wind up people! “ How true they are known as “Trolls and Flamers” and exist just to try and ruin any comments section or forums. What they don’t like is to be ignor4ed, so just ignore him. You might notice that he says nothing until someone else as commented.
Epsilon, Henbury
9/03/2008 at 20:02
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Petrol prices
 

Motorists - are rising fuel prices tempting you to use public transport more?

Yes
13%
No
87%

Poll has now ended

Personal Finance
 

0% Balance Transfer Cards
Card Typical APR
Virgin Credit Card 15.9%
Egg Card 16.9%
Barclaycard Platinum 14.9%
Barclaycard OnePulse For London 14.9%
Capital One BT Exclusive 13.9%
Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
FirstPlus Exclusive Rate 6.6%
Moneyback Bank 7.2%
Alliance & Leicester 7.7%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 7.8%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 7.8%
Barclays 7.9%
ISA Accounts
Provider AER*
ICESAVE
Easy Access ISA 		6.10%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Direct ISA Issue 4 		6.00%
YORKSHIRE BS
e-ISA 		5.55%
Fees may apply