Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)

Following the recent pilot project at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust the Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) has listened to feedback from Practices and implemented a number of changes.

The ACU offers same-day emergency medical care for patients, to help manage a number of conditions which can be treated safely, often without requiring overnight stay in hospital – although it is not always possible for a patient to be discharged on the same day.

ACU has the same access to clinical expertise and diagnostics as A&E but with this new access pathway, the patient does not need to spend any time in A&E.

ALL appropriate GP referrals in to this pathway will be accepted*. To enable this, the ACU has:

• Expanded the unit to have greater capacity
• A Consultant/Advanced Practitioner managing the ACU telephone at all times so if you get an engaged tone, try again in a few moments.
• A Consultant on Duty available to speak to a GP if they have an further queries with the agreed process for a patient, or would simply like advice and guidance that may avoid an admission altogether
• Protected appointment slots for GP Admissions

 *Patients requiring immediate attention or presenting life threatening symptoms will always be advised to attend A&E through 999 conveyance.

How are appointment slots managed?

• A Consultant/Advanced Practitioner will be available on ACU from 8am to provide advice and guidance which will in some instances avoid attendance at hospital altogether;
• Appointment slots will be protected in ACU for GP referrals for ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients for the in-hours period (8am and 6:30pm);
• ACU will arrange NWAS transport to bring patients into hospital in hours on behalf of Stockport primary care practices;
• Patients can be collected from an agreed place (practice/own home) within a 1hr window;
• Patients who can make their own way will still be given an appointment time.

Please note that all patients sent to A&E with a letter alone and no prior call to ACU first will receive a letter from the Trust reminding them of the new pathway.

If you need to refer a patient to the ACU please call 0161 419 4567.

Any patients requiring access to the ACU after 6.30pm will need to be managed in the normal way for out of hours.

Meanwhile, if you require any further information please contact Jennifer Harrop, Associate Director Urgent Care via Jennifer.Harrop@stockport.nhs.uk.