A LACK of communication with the public has been one of the main barriers to public support for Bury Clinical Commissioning Group’s new plans for urgent care in the borough, admitted health bosses tonight.

Representatives from the CCG were at a Bury West Township Forum meeting at The Elton Centre, in Alston Street, to continue their community engagement process to discuss radical plans to reorganise urgent care provision, which could see both Prestwich Walk-in Centre and Bury Urgent Treatment Centre close.

The CCG maintains that urgent care provision in Bury has become overcomplicated, with patients not knowing which service to use or even which services are available.

And opposition to the new strategy, which would include the opening of six wound treatment centres and a more comprehensive 111 telephone helpline system advising patients where to seek urgent care, stems from not doing enough to communicate the plans to the public, admitted CCG staff.

“Communication is the key,” said Dr Victoria Moyle, lead GP for urgent care at the CCG.

“It is a valid concern from people that we have probably not explained well enough how the proposed system will work.”

She added the CCG will work hard in the coming weeks to make information about the new plans more accessible to the public, who are being encouraged by the CCG to give feedback during this consultation period, which will last until October 31.

Much of the opposition to the proposals centres on the potential closure of the borough’s two walk-in centres, and the effect of this on A&E services at Fairfield General and North Manchester General hospitals.

But Dr Moyle stressed the hospitals would be equipped with urgent care services, and people would not be guided to the emergency departments of the hospitals.

In short, patients might be advised after calling the 111 telephone line to visit their nearest urgent care service, which could be at hospital, but would not be part of A&E.

Dr Moyle added: “No decisions have been made yet and I welcome all these comments, this is a consultation period and this is what it is for.

“New local services and new ways of working have evolved that have prompted this review and given us the opportunity to shape efficient and flexible services for the future.”

There are a number of ways you can have your say on the CCG’s proposals:

An online survey is available at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2BNQJG5 and a paper copy of the survey can be obtained by calling 0161 762 3166 or by emailing buccg.communications@nhs.net.

Views can be sent in via the CCG website feedback facility; by e-mail as above or by letter to NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, Communications and Engagement Team (Urgent Care Redesign), 21 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EN.