20/06/2025
New Urgent Care Centre Officially Opens At Ulster Hospital
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has officially opened the new Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at the Ulster Hospital, marking a significant development for unscheduled care services in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area.
The purpose-built centre aims to streamline patient flow by separating and treating non-critical cases, thereby alleviating pressure on the main Emergency Department (ED).
The UCC operates a walk-in service seven days a week, from 08:00 to 18:00, allowing patients to attend without a prior appointment. For minor injuries, patients also have the option to book an appointment via the "Phone First" service between 08:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, though this is not mandatory.
Welcoming the expansion to the Ulster Hospital, Minister Nesbitt highlighted the strategic importance of the new facility. "The new Urgent Care Centre is purpose built and represents a major change to unscheduled care services at the Ulster Hospital, helping to deliver modern healthcare to the population in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area," he stated.
The Minister emphasised the benefits of integrating the UCC with the existing Emergency Department. "Through its integration with the Emergency Department (ED), the Urgent Care Centre will also improve patient flow, reduce ED pressures and optimise care. It will not only enhance but will significantly improve the patients’ experience. Therefore, they will be seen in the right place, by the right people at the right time, and that will lead to better outcomes for patients."
He added that the centre represents a "significant capital and service development" and demonstrates his Department's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Emergency and Urgent Care Review, which advocated for better integration of Urgent and Emergency Care across Trusts.
Roisin Coulter, Chief Executive of the South Eastern Trust, expressed the organisation's delight at the official opening. "We are delighted to welcome the Health Minister to officially open the Urgent Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital. This facility is a key part of our commitment to delivering safe, timely and effective care for patients," she said.
Ms Coulter also commended the staff involved: "The teams working in this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, will be able to assess and treat a range of minor injuries and patients requiring urgent care. I would like to thank all of our staff for their dedication and commitment to developing this fantastic Centre."
Minister Nesbitt concluded: "I am delighted to open the Urgent Care Centre today. It is much needed and will serve the community greatly. The facilities are modern, first class and will help to deliver the appropriate care to patients."
The purpose-built centre aims to streamline patient flow by separating and treating non-critical cases, thereby alleviating pressure on the main Emergency Department (ED).
The UCC operates a walk-in service seven days a week, from 08:00 to 18:00, allowing patients to attend without a prior appointment. For minor injuries, patients also have the option to book an appointment via the "Phone First" service between 08:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, though this is not mandatory.
Welcoming the expansion to the Ulster Hospital, Minister Nesbitt highlighted the strategic importance of the new facility. "The new Urgent Care Centre is purpose built and represents a major change to unscheduled care services at the Ulster Hospital, helping to deliver modern healthcare to the population in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area," he stated.
He added that the centre represents a "significant capital and service development" and demonstrates his Department's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Emergency and Urgent Care Review, which advocated for better integration of Urgent and Emergency Care across Trusts.
Roisin Coulter, Chief Executive of the South Eastern Trust, expressed the organisation's delight at the official opening. "We are delighted to welcome the Health Minister to officially open the Urgent Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital. This facility is a key part of our commitment to delivering safe, timely and effective care for patients," she said.
Ms Coulter also commended the staff involved: "The teams working in this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, will be able to assess and treat a range of minor injuries and patients requiring urgent care. I would like to thank all of our staff for their dedication and commitment to developing this fantastic Centre."
Minister Nesbitt concluded: "I am delighted to open the Urgent Care Centre today. It is much needed and will serve the community greatly. The facilities are modern, first class and will help to deliver the appropriate care to patients."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.