Authors' recommendations: South Tyneside CCG is considering implementing an "urgent care hub", locating out-of-hours provision on a single site adjacent to an accident and emergency department. We did not find any systematic reviews assessing the effectiveness of a single site "urgent care hub". Reviews assessing strategies for triage and treating non-emergency cases presenting to emergency departments may inform elements of a single site hub. We found evidence that suggests triage liaison physicians, working in a team or alone, and fast-tracking patients with less serious symptoms both reduce emergency department waiting times and length of stay. Evidence from a small number of poor quality studies suggests that rapid assessment zones and employing general practitioners and nurse practitioners in emergency departments may improve the flow of non-emergency cases through the department. The evidence about the safety and cost-effectiveness of any of these strategies is lacking.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/pdf/Consolidating%20urgent%20care.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: University of York