A much-loved local hospital service dubbed ‘vital for the town’ is celebrating six years since being established as a permanent service.
The urgent treatment centre (UTC) based at the Friarage Hospital has been treating patients for minor illness and conditions 24 hours a day seven days week for patients in North Yorkshire and beyond – achieving its permanent status in April 2020.
Since then, the UTC has become a lifeline for local residents who wanted to be cared for without having to travel far away to either Middlesbrough or Darlington.
Thousands of patients from different age groups have benefitted from having a modern treatment centre in the heart of Northallerton over the past six years – which has been cited as a ‘huge relief’ for some.
One of them is Anna Wright, mum of Holly McNicholas, 13, who was waiting for her daughter to be seen in the spacious waiting room.
Her daughter was triaged within minutes of arrival. Anna said: “This is the best hospital for me and the service is exceptional.”
Sitting two rows away from Anna were James Waterworth and his son, also James.
James senior was visiting his son from Dorset, where he had to make a stop at the UTC. The 91-year-old who has Type 2 diabetes normally visits his GP every two weeks to change his dressing.
Talking about how excellent the service was, he said: “I am very pleased to walk into this amazing facility. I was quickly seen by the nurse as I arrived.”
His son, who lives in Catterick Garrison, added: “I have had to visit the Friarage UTC a few times and it has always been fabulous.
“It’s a great facility to have in the town.”
“Compassionate care, always there”
The hospital’s urgent treatment centre is committed to providing efficient, safe and high-quality evidence-based care to our community.
The service is mainly utilised by patients from North Yorkshire – which is especially critical for those who live in rural areas – saving them from having to travel further away.
Urgent treatment centre manager Geri Wilson said: “Guided by our team vision, ‘compassionate care, always there’, we are proud to have treated thousands of patients with care, compassion, professionalism and kindness.
“We as a team in the UTC continue to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our patients.”
The future
As the service marks six-years, the Friarage urgent treatment centre will be working even more closely with the four UTCs in the Teesside area – part of a wider University Hospitals Tees partnership.
This would mean better integration of services provided for patients while upholding the same standard of care delivered at the Friarage Hospital.