Plans progress for enhanced local healthcare, including urgent care and out-of-hours appointments, with a new provider to be appointed.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a medical stethoscope on a blurred background of red brick buildings.
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) is preparing to appoint a provider for new GP-led urgent care services in Rugby, aiming to begin later in 2027.
The proposed service will encompass GP-led urgent care, out-of-hours GP appointments, and dedicated care for children aged five and under. This development is contingent upon the successful completion of the procurement process and the subsequent setup time required for the new service.
These plans stem from a comprehensive review of urgent care and accident and emergency services, conducted by the ICB, healthcare providers, and local partners. The review took into account projected demand over the next five years and strategies to enable more Rugby residents to access appropriate care closer to their homes.
During the development of the new service, the ICB will collaborate with the existing GP out-of-hours provider to increase appointment availability at St Cross. This initiative aims to facilitate local care for more residents where it is deemed safe and suitable.
Local partners, including Rugby Borough Council, Rugby Place, Rugby Healthcare Forum, and the Save St Cross Group, have consistently advocated for improved urgent care services within Rugby.
Further changes are also anticipated, with the integration of neighbourhood teams. These teams will unite GP practices, community services, and other health professionals to focus on preventative health, reducing hospital admissions, and supporting elderly and vulnerable residents, as well as enhancing end-of-life care.
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"This is welcome progress for Rugby residents. People have told us clearly that they want to receive appropriate urgent care closer to home. It has taken sustained work by the council, community groups and health partners to reach this point. We will continue working with the ICB to make sure the final service is safe, sustainable and meets Rugby’s needs."
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"People in Rugby have made the case for better urgent care at St Cross for many years. This planned procurement is an important step towards providing more care locally. Residents should not have to travel to Coventry when the care they need can be provided safely in Rugby. We must now maintain the momentum and turn these plans into real improvements for residents. We have long called for this to happen. Bringing health services together and providing more diagnostic tests in Rugby are key to giving local residents the care they need closer to home."
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"Our citizens’ assembly and the work of local campaigners provided clear evidence of Rugby’s need for doctor-led urgent care. Their stories have made a difference. The planned service at St Cross is an important step forward. We will continue to press for a long-term service that gives residents the right care, in the right place, when they need it."
