Why is clinical demand in the area increasing?
In 12 months, we have seen an increase in patients coming to our Emergency Department (ED), rising by over 10% from 300 attendances per day to around 330-340 attendances per day. Looking at the data, it is likely this will increase further unless patients are offered a way to be seen and treated for urgent care which doesn’t require treatment in our ED – ED is for patients with a very serious or life-threatening injury or illness only.
There are several housing developments planned, or in construction, that will add to the population within the Good Hope Hospital area. This is estimated to be in the region of 35,000 additional potential patients requiring access to emergency services from North Birmingham, Lichfield and Tamworth.
What is an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) and what is its purpose?
Across the country, UTCs provide care and treatment for patients facing urgent, but not life-threatening, conditions. They include a range of services, which may have been previously named walk-in centres, minor injury units, urgent care centres, and other similar facilities.
At Good Hope Hospital, these patients are currently seen within the existing ED and other hospital departments, plus the UTC already operating on site in the Treatment Centre.
UTCs can help if you have a minor illness or injury. They can help with things like:
- sprains and strains
- suspected broken bones
- injuries, cuts and bruises
- stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
- skin infections and rashes
- high temperature in children and adults
- mental health concerns
What are the key benefits of a new UTC?
A new ‘front door’ to the hospital will bring many benefits for our patients and hospital staff.
The new floor plan means the UTC will be the first point of contact for patients coming into the department, where they will be assessed and streamed to the most appropriate clinical setting. There are many examples of this model working in hospitals across the country.
It will also deliver:
- a more suitable assessment area for patients arriving at the hospital who need urgent, but not emergency, care. For example, minors and our GP being moved closer to the first point of patient entry
- a greatly improved waiting room space with better facilities
- an environment designed with patient privacy and dignity as a priority. More assessment spaces will mean a reduction in private conversations carried out in the waiting room
- more clinical consultation rooms will reduce the waiting times in the department
How will the new UTC help with improving hospital pressures and reduce waiting times?
The new UTC will provide a larger space and better layout set out over one floor which will help improve patient flow.
Patients currently waiting in ED will be seen by the right person, at the right time, in the right place in the new configuration. They may be seen in the UTC, minors, GP services or majors as they will all be co-located together and have the layout to help facilitate a smooth flow of patients through to the correct team.
The overall waiting times in each department of our urgent and emergency care pathway will also improve, ensuring that the patients requiring urgent and emergency care are seen as soon as possible.
Will the Emergency Department remain open during the building works?
Yes the Emergency Department will remain open at all times during the construction.
Last reviewed: 28 April 2026