Health bosses in Oxfordshire are asking for the public's views of plans to move the Wallingford First Aid Unit (FAU),  currently based in the community hospital, into the GP surgery close by.

The move has been planned so the unit can continue to care for patients, while at the same time ensuring Oxfordshire's same day access urgent services comply with new NHS guidelines. 

The Wallingford FAU has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic while staff  from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust have been re-deployed to other services. Pre-COVID the unit was open during the same hours as Wallingford Medical Practice, a few metres away in an adjacent building, from  8am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

The move, planned for the beginning of November, will see FAU  treatment provided by clinical staff from the GP practice during the same hours as before. Patients will continue to access the service via an appointment through NHS 111 or through the GP practice, but they will not need to be  registered as Wallingford patients. Visitors to the area will also be able to carry on using the service. Some walk-in appointments will be available within COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Diane Hedges, deputy chief executive at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG), said: "NHS England has issued guidance to address the variation in urgent care services around the country and reduce potential misunderstanding among the public.

"In future, all urgent care services will be designated as Emergency Departments in acute hospitals or they will be Urgent Treatment Centres. Other same day access urgent care services such as FAUs or minor injury units are expected to be integrated into primary care as an alternative community service.

"In some parts of England, this work has resulted in services closing. It's our intention to find solutions to ensure these services are retained in Oxfordshire and are improved for local communities."

OCCG and the Wallingford Medical Practice are confident the change will not inconvenience patients but are keen to hear the views of local people so they can respond to any concerns before the change of location at the beginning of November.

Dr Hans-Joerg Paul, senior partner at the practice, said: "We are looking forward to taking over the FAU services and we hope all patients will benefit from access to more medical support. However, we are keen to hear from our community just in case there are any unforeseen consequences of this change which we can address and resolve." 

Please send your feedback to Talking Health occg.talking.health@nhs.net or write to:

Talking Health, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Jubilee House 5510 John Smith Drive, Oxford, OX4 2LH by 23 October 2020.