HAMPSHIRE — Residents in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton have until June 21 to voice their opinions on how urgent NHS care is delivered, as NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight launches a sweeping review of services ahead of critical contract renewals in 2028.
Key Points
- ✅ Public survey open until June 21 for urgent care feedback
- ⚡ Review targets GP out-of-hours, night nursing and urgent treatment centres
- 💡 Contracts for these services up for renewal in 2028
The trust is seeking input on how services like GP out-of-hours care, night nursing and urgent treatment centres should be reshaped to meet growing demand. More than 1.2 million GP appointments were logged across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in a single month last year, underscoring the strain on the system.
Dr. Tom Bertram, a GP and clinical lead for primary and local care, emphasized the urgency of public participation: "Every day, thousands rely on these services to get the right care in the right place. This isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about shaping how those services function for years to come."
| Service | Current Delivery | Focus of Review |
|---|---|---|
| GP out-of-hours care | Traditional rota-based system | Streamlined access and expanded coverage |
| Night nursing | Hospital-based response | Community-centred alternatives |
| Urgent treatment centres | Fixed-site facilities | Mobile and pop-up options |
The review isn’t just a bureaucratic exercise. NHS leaders have warned that up to 57,000 people in the region could have undiagnosed hypertension, a condition dubbed the ‘silent killer’ due to its lack of obvious symptoms. Improved urgent care access could help catch such conditions earlier.
💡 Pro Tip
Describe your most recent urgent care experience—good or bad—in detail. Specific feedback about wait times, staff interactions or facility cleanliness carries more weight than general complaints.
The survey, available online and at engagement events, takes about 10 minutes to complete and is entirely anonymous. A separate version is tailored for health and care professionals, ensuring their perspectives are also considered.
This isn’t Hampshire’s first attempt to modernize urgent care. In 2023, the trust rolled out an extra 2,000 urgent dental appointments for patients in pain, but the demand far outstripped supply. The new review aims to address systemic gaps, not just patch temporary solutions.
📋 By The Numbers
- 57,000 — Estimated undiagnosed hypertension cases in Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- 2,000 — Additional urgent dental appointments added in 2023
- 2028 — Year when key urgent care contracts are set to expire
Public engagement events are scheduled in Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester throughout May and June, with dates and locations published on the trust’s website. The goal is to gather diverse voices, from elderly residents to young families, to ensure the final recommendations reflect the community’s needs.
- Share your experience — Complete the 10-minute survey by June 21
- Attend an event — Join discussions in Portsmouth, Southampton or Winchester
- Spread the word — Encourage others to participate, especially hard-to-reach groups
The trust has not yet announced the criteria for selecting which services will receive funding or restructuring, but Bertram hinted that efficiency and patient outcomes will drive decisions. "We’re not starting from scratch," he said. "We’re building on what works and fixing what doesn’t."