HCRG Care Group to run NHS urgent care centre pilot
HCRG Care Group has been commissioned to run a new NHS urgent care centre pilot in Reading.
Reading Urgent Care Centre, which will be managed by HCRG Care Group on behalf of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), has opened its doors at Broad Street Mall.
The 18-month pilot project will provide people with quick and easy access to healthcare if they have an urgent medical need, helping to prevent unnecessary admissions to A&E and providing wider support to the local health system.
The new centre will provide daily appointments for patients self-presenting on site and will also be introducing referrals from the local acute trust emergency department (Royal Berkshire Hospital RBH Emergency Department) and GP practices. It will be open seven days a week from 8am-8pm.
Pat Birchall, Chief Operating Officer at HCRG Care Group, said: “We are delighted to have been commissioned to run this service on behalf of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board.
“This builds on our partnership in the area where we have run similar NHS primary care services for a number of years. We will be building on this experience and using our transformation expertise to ensure local residents receive the care they need in a safe, timely manner.”
Sarah Webster, Executive Director for Berkshire West Place, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “The UCC will provide patients with access to additional urgent healthcare options in Berkshire West. This will also support colleagues in primary and emergency care who are seeing and treating an increasing number of patients every day.”
