Updated 31 May 2017
Phoenix Walk-In Centre is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an organisational provider. The provider is part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and the centre is managed in conjunction with the emergency department at New Cross Hospital.
The Walk-In Centre (WIC) was formally located in Parkfields and was formally part of the Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT). In 2011, the WIC was transferred to the Wolverhampton NHS Trust as part of the Transforming Community Service (TCS). The objective of the WIC is to provide a complementary service to local GP practices and to the Accident and Emergency department based at New Cross Hospital. Patients can access the service by self-presenting, being directed by the NHS 111 service, being directed by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) or by signposting from their GP practice. The building is owned by NHS Property Services who provide estates, facilities and domestic services.
Since 2011, Phoenix WIC has been run alongside the emergency department as part of a block contract under a service specification directly commissioned by Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The WIC provides a nurse led walk in service for any patient offering on the spot advice for minor health problems, minor illness, ailments, minor injuries and signposting to other health services. This inspection focussed on the services provided at the Phoenix WIC only.
The Phoenix WIC is open from 10am to 7pm Monday to Friday. Clinicians are rostered until 8.30pm to complete any outstanding patients. The service is open from 10am to 4pm Saturday, Sundays and on bank holidays. During the services opening times reception staff work within a dedicated reception area booking patients into the service as patients walked in. The commissioners of the service set out the range of expected patient conditions to be seen which includes a list of minor illnesses. The service does not routinely order blood tests or x-rays for walk in patients. If a test is required patients are referred back to their own GP. If an urgent referral to a speciality is needed, patients are referred to either to their own GP or to A&E.
The Phoenix WIC staffing consists of:
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Eleven Nurse Practitioners and one Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) providing 11.8 WTE hours.
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Two Healthcare Assistants (2 WTE).
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Four reception/administration staff (2.1 WTE).
The management structure within the Phoenix WIC has a senior nurse practitioner as the centre manager reporting to the Senior Matron for emergency services based at New Cross Hospital. In the absence of the lead, another clinician steps up to cover as lead or an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) filled in from the hospital.