The Beacon Centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Newport is to become an appointment-only service during evenings, weekends and bank holidays, the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group has confirmed.
Up to 200 patients a day are using the Beacon walk-in service, which is putting significant strain on resources. Waiting times of 6 hours are becoming frequent and GP availability is limited, prompting significant changes to how The Beacon will operate in the future.
Between 20:00 and 08:00 each day, on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays those wishing to attend The Beacon will need to contact 111 for an appointment. If the call operator deems that there is a need for the patient to attend The Beacon, an appointment will be made.
Although a date for the change is yet to be confirmed, any changes will be well publicised.
Services provided by the Emergency Department and 999 calls for life threatening emergencies are unaffected by the plans.
Speaking on behalf of health service commissioners Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the service providers, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Lighthouse Medical, a spokesman for the NHS on the Isle of Wight said:
“All the partners who arrange and provide health care services on the Island are working to resolve the current difficulties caused by GP vacancies. This includes reviewing the way services are provided to make sure those that are in need of urgent or emergency care receive services at the right time and in the right place.
“Walk-in services for urgent healthcare issues (which is different from emergency care), is provided by the Beacon Health Centre (8am-8pm) or the Emergency Department (24 hours a day) both based at St. Mary’s Hospital and available seven days a week.
Article continues below this advertisement “Due to the well reported difficulties in recruiting GPs to the Island the service for those with urgent health care needs will be changing in the future.
“All individuals seeking out of hours urgent health care should call 111 before leaving home.
“An appointment system for the Beacon Centre for some of the ‘out of hours’ periods e.g. overnight and on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, is just one of the changes which will be introduced in the future.
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