57
Teacher’s book
Unit 12. Washington Primary Care Center
Staff member:
The big advantage here is that it’s just local, and the patients previously
in Washington have to travel into Sunderland to track this sort of service so, we are really
finding that the local community are really appreciating having something along these lines
on they’re doorstep.
The advantage of the walk-in center here is that patients can just walk in. They don’t need
to phone up and arrange an appointment, and for many patients that’s a big advantage. For
some, just the barriers and anxieties of phoning up and arranging an appointment are quite
difficult.
The times of opening, particularly in the evenings… patients find it very useful being able
to pull in up to eight o’clock in the evening.
We work as a team of GPs and nurses working closely together, and between us we pro-
vide a very comprehensive service. Really anything is seen. We find particularly children’s
service is appreciated by the patients and often we do find that, although they may come
with an acute problem, it’s very much linked with their chronic and long-term conditions.
Patient 1:
When I was actually, I was shopping in the galleries with the wife and then I
started getting heavy pains down my left arm. So I just said to the wife I’ll have to go some-
where and get this seen. I am going to go to that shopping center over the road they put us
on ASG. My blood pressure was sky high, but within ten minutes the ambulance was out
the front and that was it. I was whisked off.
Staff member 1:
Working in the walk-in center here we are very aware of the other serv-
ices that are provided, and it’s good to integrate with the, for instance, the renal dialysis and
chemotherapy services. We work with them, and if they are patients there with a minor
illness that needs to be seen the same day it’s good to be here to provide that.
Patient 2:
For me, I leave five minutes away, I can walk here. That’s such a big advantage
plus the fact that for me the staff’s even more efficient here. An average session for me
is four hours to fill my time in I bring a book, have the telly. It’s a real big advantage for me
to be here.
Patient 1:
It’s easy to get to and it’s right in the heart of the community.
Patient 2:
It’s a convenient relaxed environment with no waiting around and it’s very friendly.
Patient 3:
There’s a plant and nurse-led service for chemotherapy patients.
Staff member:
We are a local GP-led, minor injuries and illness walk-in center, providing
high-caliber comprehensive services connected with the community.
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