Solihull Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre

I’m 76yrs of age and attended this centre after visiting a pharmacist for advice about insect bites that had caused several large blisters on my leg resulting in inflammation and swelling. The pharmacist prescribed me some antibiotics, but, said If possible, I needed to let a doctor look at it asap as it looked to him to be quite serious and infected. As my surgery closes early on a Wednesday and no one answered the phone I decided to travel to Solihull Hospital Urgent Care Dept so that a doctor might be able to check the bites for me. There were possibly 4 people waiting when I arrived. I completed a form at reception which the receptionist took through to a doctor to see if anyone could look at my bites. A doctor called me through, but, before I could say anything she started telling me off for not having an appointment. I apologised as I had absolutely no idea that I needed to have a prior appointment arranged? She looked down at my leg and said “it’s not infected, the redness and the blisters are just caused by an allergic reaction to the bites. I was quite surprised that she said it wasn’t Infected especially as I’d seen puss in the blisters before they got so large. I do have a bad reaction to bites, so this is not the first time. I was treated for similar bites only 3 weeks previously and in the past have had to have bites lanced by a GP. The doctor told me to get some antihistamine, the name of which she wrote on a scrap of paper and handed to me. I thanked her for seeing me and left.

I went to Boots in Solihull to get the medication and when the Pharmacists saw my leg they were shocked. They couldn’t believe that my leg wasn’t infected and that I’d been sent away without any treatment. They told me to call 111 and go to A&E. I was tired and don’t drive at present having had cataracts removed and not yet collected my new glasses, so I went straight home.

I have worked all my life till I was 68 (8 years with the NHS Continence Service). I’ve cared for my very sick husband for 3 years. He was very poorly with Scleroderma, Kidney disease and Type II diabetes. and needed to be seen constantly at Heartlands. I try my level best to not go to the doctors unless it’s absolutely necessary. I will now probably need to make an appointment at my surgery for a proper checkup.
I was quite prepared to wait 3/4 hours this afternoon and certainly would not have gone to the Hospital had I realised it was appointment only but that doctor had no regard for me whatsoever, hopefully she was right, and it is not infected but having suffered for 4 days with it I just didn’t want it to get any worse.

The receptionist who was very helpful took my form through to show a doctor who called me through.

My husband has a few serious medical health problems including stage 4 cancer. He had been complaining about pain on the left side of his lower tummy and had a very bad night, up every 30 minutes but would not let me call an ambulance. Today he was experiencing more pain around every 30 minutes. I managed with help from my neighbours to get him into my car as he is disabled and usually housebound. The service was excellent. I spoke with one of the nurses and he helped me to get him into a wheelchair. He was seen within 40 minutes. The staff were all wonderful and caring.

After a fall the GP referred me to the UTC for an x-ray to rule out fractures. If a fracture is found, patients are told to make their way to Heartlands, and could face several more hours wait. A poster needs to displayed pointing this out, and also listing the main items that UTC will not treat. I was lucky that I did not have a fracture but having waited four hours for an x-ray I would not have wanted to start the process all over again at Heartlands.

Excellent care from the clinicians despite a very long waiting time. Particularly positive service from the staff on reception which was very much appreciated. Thank you.

I have a bad leg which I can't put weight on. They told me they couldn't do anything for me as I hadn't had an injury and I need to go to A&E instead. I didn't realise there isn't one here and I have to go all the way to Heartlands. I saw other people having x-rays here so why can't I?

I walked in and it wasn't very busy so I didn't wait long to be seen. I was sent for an x-ray and given crutches to help me walk there. They then made an appointment with the fracture clinic at Heartlands for me next week. Very good service.

I was seen very quickly and the nurses were lovely. They told me that due to my symptoms I needed to be seen by a hospital doctor and I should make my way to Heartlands A&E. I am happy with the care I received and although a visit to A&E was not avoided it is best to be safe.

I walked in with a bad ankle and was seen quickly. They x-rayed it and confirmed that it was broken. They then gave me a boot and booked an appointment at the Heartlands fracture clinic for me. I'm really happy with how quick everything was.

I attended the UTC at Solihull Hospital because I was unable to get a GP appointment at my surgery. The doctors at the UTC was unable to help me and told me that I needed to see my GP. The reason I went there was because I cannot get a GP appointment. The system is frustrating!

I was sent here by NHS 111. I was seen very quickly and the doctor was good. They gave me a prescription which hopefully will help.