HEALTH chiefs have urged city residents to air their views on how the county’s community hospitals, including the one in Worcester, could be further used.
Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs them is asking for ideas and thoughts on how they can be developed as part of a major consultation exercise.
The Worcester City inpatient unit on Timberdine Close is among seven in the county run by the trust alongside sites in Malvern, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Evesham, Pershore and Tenbury.
They support patients who need more care than can be provided at home, but who aren’t too ill they need emergency care or surgery – this is provided from the larger acute hospitals
They can support patients after a serious illness or following major surgery, helping get them back on their feet so they can continue to recover at home
Four of the community hospitals are home to Minor Injury Units, treating injuries which are not emergencies or life threatening
Some of them provide outpatient clinics, for example physiotherapy where patients can get regular and ongoing support to help their rehabilitation.
Health chiefs have pledged investment in their community nursing teams, known as Neighbourhood Teams. These are teams which provide care and treatment in a patient’s own home, reducing the need for them to be in hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.
They are also looking at how they can improve and modernise outpatients services and clinics so appointments are more effective for patients.
“We want to work with local people to look at new or different opportunities for them to play an even bigger role in their local areas,” a trust spokesperson said.
“For example we want to bring other organisations into the community hospitals so they could be home to a range of health clubs or activities which help more people get fit and stay healthy.
They are a fantastic and much loved local resource and we want to work with local communities to get even more from them
Consultation events will be held from 2pm to 4pm at St Peter’s Baptist Church in Worcester on January 16 and on January 31 from 10am to midday at Simply Limitless in Kidderminster.
To book a place in advance please e-mail [email protected] or call 01905 681495.
