NHS hub plans for South Yorkshire shopping centre to ‘speed up’ waiting times

The “community based diagnostic hub” will offer scans, tests, and checks, to speed up waiting times in an easy to access location.

Funding has been secured to open the first hub in the Glass Works, although no date has yet been confirmed.

It is hoped that the hub will ease pressures on GPs – the British Medical Association say there are now just 0.45 fully qualified GPs per 1000 patients in England – down from 0.52 in 2015.

Julia Burrows, director of public health in Barnsley said that the covid-19 pandemic has had a “very real impact” on health services in the borough.

A statement from Barnsley Integrated Care Partnership added that GPs are “recruiting more staff in a range of roles providing additional support to people with ongoing, or long-term, conditions”, including physiotherapists to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage muscle or joint problems.

The statement added: “Many GP practices are working differently by offering an initial assessment when you contact them.

“This helps them make sure they can get you to the right member of the team. They are also able to offer telephone appointments for those who want them, which frees up more time for those who need a face-to-face appointment.

“Our community services will continue to provide invaluable support to residents to recover in familiar settings such as at home close to family and friends. It is important people do not stay in hospital any longer than they need to.”