A new centre has been launched within St Helier's accident and emergency (A&E) department to help free up doctors to tackle life and death situations.

The urgent care centre will provide care for patients who do not need emergency, life-saving treatment.

Run in partnership with NHS Sutton and Merton and local GPs, the centre offers appropriate treatment for people minor illnesses or injuries, who need the emergency department but who do not require the specialist skills of life saving doctors.

Emergency department consultant Dr Carole Ann Johnson said: “The emergency department at St Helier treated over 79,000 people last year, but not all of them had critical or life-threatening conditions, which is what the emergency department specialises in.

“The urgent care centre means patients who have flu-like symptoms or minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains and bumps, cuts and grazes, will be seen by specially-trained emergency nurses. The centre will be open 24 hours-a-day.

“This not only means they get the most appropriate treatment – it also means consultants in the emergency department can focus on people with critical or life-threatening conditions.”

Dr Jonathan Cockbain is a local GP involved in developing the project. He said: “The centre is great news. It’s an enhancement that means that we can use the skills of doctors and nurses more efficiently, meaning patients with less serious problems will see the person with the right skills at the right time.”

Dr Johnson added: “It is not possible to register or to book an appointment at the urgent care centre, and it is not the same as a ‘walk-in centre’ – which are designated GP-led services in the community.

“The urgent care centre does mean, however, that we can make sure those people who do arrive at A&E with more minor ailments can be seen and treated more appropriately.”