Michelle Whittle is a senior nurse working at our Urgent Care Centre in South Bristol Community Hospital. She describes a typical day in the Centre.

7.30am
I arrive at work. It’s a Monday, which is always a busy day for us at the Urgent Care Centre, and we also have a new member of staff starting today - he’s a paramedic by background.

7.45am
I gather the nursing team for our morning handover, and we plan for the day, and go over any important information that came up over
the weekend; things like safeguarding issues, or making sure we follow-up with any patients who need referring on to their GP or other services.

8.00am
I take blood from a 4-year-old little girl who has a booked appointment for routine blood tests, and after the procedure I talk to her mum about her follow-up care. It’s great to see a child smiling
and holding a bravery certificate - we always aim to make a child’s visit very positive!

8.30am
I attend the weekly Monday morning meeting for the whole of South Bristol Community Hospital. This is where everything needed to
ensure the smooth running of the hospital is discussed.

9.15am
I’m working with another Michelle today – the Centre Coordinator, and we’re writing a standard service procedure together, which
aims to reduce waiting times for patients, and improve efficiency during the coming winter months.

12 noon
I take some time to catch up with my email correspondence.

2.00pm
I meet with a Matron from South Bristol Community Hospital to talk about our plan to run a children’s fracture clinic at the Urgent Care Centre.

4.00pm
I change into my clinical uniform to join the nursing staff, and I’m asked to see a patient who has sustained a severe crush injury to his foot – he’ll need an x-ray and wound closure. My next patient is a 7-day-old infant whose mother is concerned he is poorly and not feeding well today.

5.00pm
I begin the evening triage clinic. It’s getting busy as we seem to have lots of young people waiting to be seen for illness or injury. Although I’m the acting service lead, I try to see as many of these patients
as I can, to prevent long waits and help my clinical colleagues to give more time to those who need more treatment and care. The Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) in our team are vital in supporting us at busy times; they do a fantastic job.

8.00pm
Home time!

Urgent Care Centre
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm
0117 342 9692
Sat nav postcode: BS14 0DB
In a life threatening emergency, call 999.
www.briscomhealth.org.uk/our-services/urgent-care-centre/