A single urgent care service for B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire is among “radical” plans to plug an expected £300m gap in health funding across the region.
The plans were devised by health bosses from the three areas who have been warned they will face a £298 funding gap by 2020/21.
It is hoped that a shared urgent care service, and other new ways of working together, will overcome the challenges faced by health and care organisations across the large geographical area.
Their Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) explains that: “The health and care community is facing a financial gap of circa £298m over the next five years unless we make radical changes to the way we deliver services and support for local people.”
Commissioners across B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire are working together to develop new NHS 111 and GP out-of-hours services as part of the “joined-up” urgent care service.
Other “emerging priorities” outlined in the blueprint for the region include a greater focus on preventing ill health, changes to primary care, and better cooperation by hospital trusts.