UTC team colleagues pictured outside the new building at Clacton Hospital
People in Clacton with urgent, but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, are receiving care and treatment in improved healthcare facilities closer to home.
A £25 million redevelopment programme to transform Clacton Hospital, including construction of a new urgent treatment centre (UTC) for people with minor illnesses and injuries, is now complete.
The UTC service, which is on the ground floor of the new building, has been designed with patient experience at its heart.
Patients arriving with urgent, but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as sprains, suspected fractures, burns and wounds, will be cared for in a more modern and spacious environment. More triage rooms and treatment areas will also help to reduce waiting times.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs the urgent treatment centre service at Clacton Hospital, said: “The opening of our new urgent treatment centre is a significant milestone for healthcare in Clacton. People with urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries will now be treated in a modern, purpose-built facility designed to provide faster, more efficient care.
“This investment will help to make sure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time – rather than travelling further afield or attending A&E unnecessarily.
“Alongside the new Community Diagnostic Centre and other improvements across the Clacton Hospital site, more local people can now access high-quality healthcare services closer to home, reducing unnecessary travel and supporting faster access to care when they need it most.”
Sarah Bohanna-Smith, deputy clinical lead of the UTC, and Liz Addison, UTC clinical lead
Improving Clacton Hospital for the future
The extensive redevelopment programme has been led by ESNEFT. It follows other improvements at the Clacton Hospital site, which has seen:
- The construction of a new Community Diagnostic Centre and endoscopy suite
- Relocation of maternity services and opening of new birthing suite
- The podiatry department move to a spacious new home
- The Jubilee Infusion Lounge, where Tendring patients can receive a wide range of infusions, move to an easy-to-access ground floor base
- Extra parking spaces, electric car charging points, a secure cycle shed and covered mobility scooter parking bay created.
The UTC connects to the refurbished Kate Grant and Jubilee building.
A new internal corridor also links the UTC to the Community Diagnostic Centre. This will allow patients who need scans or tests to move between services quickly, easily and indoors, improving accessibility and reducing delays by not having to walk outside and around the main building.
A mural, pictured below, featuring NHS staff who work at Clacton Hospital, which also pays homage to the town’s history and landmarks, has also been painted on the side of the new building by local artist Chris Bardell.
The redevelopment programme was funded by ESNEFT, NHS England, NHS Property Services and Tendring District Council.
Gina Placey, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said: “The opening of the new urgent treatment centre at Clacton Hospital is fantastic news for residents, helping people access care closer to home while reducing the need to travel during difficult times.
“The council was able to provide a vital £2million towards the project after our successful application for Community Regeneration Partnership funding from the Government.
“This funding is now making a real impact in our communities, and I am proud TDC has have been able to work with our partners to deliver a new medical facility for residents.”
What are urgent treatment centres?
Urgent treatment centres (UTCs) provide assessment and treatment for a range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need attention on the same day, but are not serious enough for A&E.
This may include:
- Sprains and strains
- Suspected broken bones and minor fractures
- Burns and scalds
- Cuts and wounds
- Minor head injuries
- Skin infections and rashes
- Fever, sickness and other urgent illnesses
The UTC at Clacton Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm every day.
Before attending, consider contacting NHS 111 first. A trained adviser can direct you to the most appropriate service, which may be the UTC, a pharmacy, your GP or another NHS service.
For life-threatening emergencies, people should continue to attend A&E or call 999.
The nearest accident and emergency department (A&E) to Clacton is at Colchester Hospital.
More information about urgent treatment centres is available on the NHS website.
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