MOVE MEANS PATIENTS HAVE A SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS

PATIENTS with oncology or haematology conditions in Northern Lincolnshire are to benefit from a new emergency service aiming to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

- By DEBORAH HALL

NHS Humber Health Partnership is expanding its triage service at the Queen's Centre Acute Assessment Unit (QCAAU), at Castle Hill Hospital, for patients experiencing acute problems relating to their oncology or haematology conditions.

The service, currently helping patients in Hull and the East Riding, will now be expanded to help patients living south of the Humber, who will be given contact details once they begin treatment.

Sister Kirsty McDonagh, who manages the QCAAU, said a senior nurse co-ordinator and triage assistant will staff the triage service 24/7 from this month to help patients avoid unnecessary hospital admissions or visits to emergency departments in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Hull.