AN MP has demanded answers from Government over what plans it has for an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) in Bradford to help ease pressure on A&E departments.

Shipley MP Philip Davies asked the Department of Health in a Parliamentary Question, which cities in the country don’t have a UTC.

Mr Davies said: “I want to make sure people in the Bradford District can access the right health care professionals and services when needed and creating an UTC with dedicated staff will do this.

"It will ease pressures on A&E, reduce waiting times and allow patients to be dealt with more quickly.”

Mr Davies added: “We are one of the biggest cities in the country with complex health needs and therefore a UTC is crucial. I have asked Health Secretary Matt Hancock if the Department for Health have plans for a UTC for Bradford and will await his reply.

"I will keep pushing this matter on behalf of patients across the district as we need this provision that appears so widely available in most other cities across England.”

What is an Urgent Treatment Centre?

  • UTCs are GP-led, open at least 12 hours a day, every day, and offer appointments that can be booked through 111 or through a GP referral.
  • They are equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments people attend A&E for.
  • They are designed to ease pressure on hospitals so other parts of the system are free to treat the most serious cases.