Why we are having this conversation
NHS leaders in County Durham are looking at the services that are available for people when they have an urgent or emergency health need.
We are asking for your help to directly inform any future decisions, by reflecting on the real‑world experiences you have had. Helping us to better understand any barriers, needs and preferences local people may have when needing these services.
Staff and services across County Durham are already working together to help make sure they are meeting patients needs effectively.
However, we recognise that it is not always obvious to know where to go for treatment of an urgent / emergency health need that you may have.
Why we are asking for your experiences:
We recognise it can be complicated to know which service to use in an urgent/ emergency health care situation
There are some differences in access to these services across the County Durham geography, this needs to be addressed
We are wanting to understand people's views on the current way services are working and how to use/ access them so we can improve for the future.
Definitions
Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) and Minor Injuries Units (MIU):
Not an emergency department. Typically, nurse-led or GP-staffed facility providing care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as minor burns, wounds, sprains, or infections.
Examples of these could be Shotley Bridge or Bishop Auckland hospitals.
Out of Hours (OOH):
Describe the arrangements locally for urgent medical needs when GP practices are closed. This service is primarily accessed by calling 111.
Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC):
An NHS service that provides rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for emergency conditions without requiring an overnight hospital stay. Patients are treated and discharged on the same day, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and freeing up beds.
This is delivered as part of the services at UHND and Darlington Memorial hospitals.
Same Day Urgent Care (SDUC):
The medical treatment for conditions that require prompt attention—unexpectedly or suddenly—but are not considered life-threatening or a serious emergency. This can be part of the service that is provided at either an Urgent Treatment Centre or SDEC.
This is delivered as part of the services at UHND and Darlington Memorial hospitals.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists are available in most towns across County Durham and can perform a consultation and assessment when you visit them. If appropriate, they can provide advice and over-the-counter remedies for a broader range of minor ailments.
Pharmacists can also diagnose and treat seven specific common conditions including, Sinusitis, sore throats, earache, Impetigo, shingles and urinary tract infections.