New Primary Care Hubs which allows on-the-day appointments for people needing urgent care have opened in Cornwall.

The new eight hubs will provide extra GP appointments that GP surgeries can direct some of their patients to attend, according to set criteria.

The new concept aims to ease on-the-day demand on general practice, allowing practices to focus on patients with long-term conditions.

Hubs are said to be conveniently located across the county in Launceston, Bodmin, St Austell, Truro, Mount Hawke, Redruth, Helston, and St Ives.

However, when the Packet asked for more details on where the specific locations were, no further information was available. 

Patients who contact their GP surgery for an appointment will be referred to an appointment at a suitable primary care hub.

However, patients are being told that they cannot just turn up at the hub and that they will need to have an appointment made by their GP surgery.

The primary care hubs will be run by experienced health professionals, including a GP or practitioner with minor illness experience who will offer advice and onward care including providing prescriptions.

Now the hubs have opened across Cornwall, Dr Janine Glazier explains the benefits they will bring to patients in the Duchy. She said: “The primary care hubs are a winter plan initiative to see patients a little bit quicker and also allow those patients with really complex and long-term conditions to see their own GP and healthcare professionals on a more regular basis.”

Among patients who have benefited from the approach this winter are Bob Burgress from Saltash who broke his ankle on the beach before Christmas.

Mr Burgress attended Bodmin’s minor injuries unit, where he was seen within two hours and has been helped to stay at home with social care visits, a hospital bed downstairs and help from his neighbours. Bob said: “It’s an absolutely amazing feeling.

“I am in my home, not in a hospital surrounded by strangers. It means a lot to be able to stay at home, and I am thankful for that.”

The hubs are just one element of a wider winter plan for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s health and care system which also includes:

  • Extra places in Community Assessment Treatment units provide same-day assessment to keep people from being admitted to hospital.
  • Personal health budgets cover costs to help a person leave the hospital.
  • Additional investment into local community support including the Community Gateway telephone service and over 50 community hubs.

For more information about the support on offer this winter visit the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website, which includes information on support for people to leave hospital, virtual wards, and health advice for families.