SaHF DMBC Volume 1 Edition 1.1.pdf - Shaping a healthier future

The E&UC CIG has considered the implications of commissioning non co-located UCCs
carefully, and has developed a set of recommendations articulating how non co-located
UCCs should differ from those that share a site with an ED.
Figure 7.42 summarises the key differences between co-located and non co-located UCCs.
Figure 7.42:Key differences between co-located and non co-located UCCs
Key differences
Rationale
Access to
diagnostics
and
investigations
UCC to ED
transfer
If X-ray is not available on-site 24/7,
patient care should be transferred to
an alternative site (usually the partner
ED) within 90 minutes.
Non co-located UCCs must be able to
process diagnostic tests on-site.
Serious „999‟ emergency cases should
be transferred to an appropriate ED by
the London Ambulance Service.
The UCC will be expected to provide
safe transport for non-emergency
patients requiring transfer to ED.
Patients needing further treatment at
an ED but who require neither „999‟ or
„safe‟ transport should be provided
with advice and information on where
to access follow-on care, and
discharged from the UCC.
All UCCs should have 24/7 access to
X-ray 9 . For some non co-located
UCCs, X-ray may not be available
on-site during periods of low activity.
24/7 „hot‟ phlebotomy labs are
unlikely to be available at Local
Hospital sites.
A small minority of patients will
present at the UCC with complaints
that require immediate emergency
transfer to ED
The receiving ED should be informed
that the patient will be attending
The patient should be provided with a
case-number to ensure that they do
not have to repeat registration and
assessment on arrival at the ED.
Some non-emergency patients
requiring transfer to ED may not be
able to make their way to an
alternative service safely (e.g. some
elderly patients, patients with a
broken jaw)
UCC will be expected to confer with
the patient in order to come to a
decision on whether safe transport is
required
The receiving ED should be informed
that the patient will be attending
The patient should be provided with a
case-number to ensure that they do
not have to repeat registration and
assessment on arrival at the ED.
The vast majority of patients requiring
follow-on care at an ED will have low
acuity complaints
The receiving ED should be informed
that the patient will be attending
The patient should be provided with a
case-number to ensure that they do
not have to repeat registration and
assessment on arrival at the ED.
9 This is the current London Quality Standards – Emergency and Maternity care, however this may be modified
due to demand and cost. Suitable facilities must be available at another site with transfer protocols in place.
7b. Work of the Emergency and Urgent Care CIG 168