GLOUCESTERSHIRE Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a contract to provide an Integrated Urgent Care Service (IUCS) for local patients. 

Earlier today (May 16), NHS Gloucestershire announced that the service, due to start in November, includes a local Clinical Assessment Service, offering patients access to general and specialist advice from clinicians where needed, and Primary Care Out of Hours.

IUCS will also play a key role in supporting urgent care advice and support across the county.

Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Douglas Blair said: “We are very pleased to be taking on responsibility for this service and look forward to working alongside our partners.

“Supporting local people to access timely urgent care from first contact onwards is very much a shared priority across the whole One Gloucestershire integrated care system, and we know how important it is to county residents.

“We will work closely with NHS Gloucestershire and the current provider to support existing staff in the coming weeks with the aim of ensuring a seamless transition in late autumn.”

NHS Gloucestershire’s Director of Transformation and Redesign, Ellen Rule said: “Providing high quality and joined up urgent care services for local patients is a top priority for NHS Gloucestershire.

“Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive and rigorous procurement and evaluation process, which included service user representation.

“We look forward to working with the Trust, their partner IC24 and other health and care professionals locally, to deliver an excellent service to our patients. 

“IUCS will play an important role in helping people to get timely advice and the right service to meet their needs.”

NHS Gloucestershire clarified the contract. It said: “The single contract for IUCS is for a period of seven years. Five years, plus two additional years at the commissioner’s (NHS Gloucestershire) discretion.”

Services of community pharmacies, GP surgeries, dental practices, community minor illness and injury units and A&E departments in the county will continue to be provided.

More information about what health care, advice and services you can access can be found on the NHS One Gloucestershire website.