We are proposing moving the UTC from its current location in the main Skegness Community Hospital, Dorothy Avenue, Skegness, PE25 2BS to the nearby Skegness Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) Old Wainfleet Road, Skegness, PE25 3RR. The new location is around a 2-minute walk away.
This move would bring new investment into local health services and provide an expanded and more modern UTC space that can better meet the needs of people in Skegness and surrounding areas, now and in the future. The project is supported financially by NHS England.
What is an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)?
An Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) gives quick medical help for problems that need attention but are not life-threatening. UTCs can treat common issues such as: sprains, strains, and suspected broken bones cuts, bruises, minor injuries, stomach problems (like sickness or diarrhoea), skin infections and rashes, high temperatures (fever), mental health concerns, emergency contraception, etc. At the new CDC location, you will still be able to have all these types of services together with tests such as X‑rays or blood tests and get prescriptions, if needed.
When should people use a UTC instead of the Emergency Department?
UTCs are different from Emergency Departments (EDs. People should go to a UTC for urgent problems that are not life-threatening. They should go to ED for serious or life-threatening conditions, such as: chest pain, severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or serious injuries.
Why are we considering this change?
- Demand for urgent and emergency care continues to evolve
- The proposal would relocate the UTC into a purpose-built clinical environment
- The current UTC is not fit-for-purpose
- The CDC extension offers modern facilities that can support improved patient experience and staff working environments
- The proposal aims to ensure patients continue to receive the right care in the right place at the right time
- The proposed model will retain the flexibility to respond to seasonal increases in demand, ensuring urgent care services remain accessible and responsive for both local residents and the significant number of visitors to the Skegness area throughout the year.
What would stay the same?
- Local urgent treatment services would continue to be available, at the same level and for the same hours
- Patients would continue to receive urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries
- Patient safety and access remain the primary considerations.
What would improve?
- Modern, purpose-built accommodation including 10 consultation rooms (increased from five), a treatment room and mental health safe space
- Improved patient flow and experience
- Better use of estate and resources including dedicated car parking and waiting room
- Opportunities for closer working between services located on the CDC site.
Before any decisions are made on final design, layout, and relocation, we need to understand what matters most to the local population about this relocation. Any feedback will help shape decisions about the future of the UTC service in Skegness and its proposed new location.
The survey is now open and will remain available until Friday 30 October. We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete it and share it with your networks to encourage as many responses as possible.