Feb 6 2008
Wales has unveiled new plans to improve emergency and out-of-hours care, developed in partnership with UNISON.
The union worked closely with the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Welsh Assembly government to draw up the new emergency care blueprint.
It is designed to ease pressure on overstretched A&E departments while making it easier for patients to get treatment once their GP surgery has closed its doors for the day.
Officials estimate up to 40% of A&E patients could be better treated elsewhere.
Key elements of the strategy include new urgent care centres to treat out-of-hours patients with minor injuries and illness; more care in or near people's homes; and different ways of working to ensure patients are seen by the right health professional at the right time.
Paramedics may provide more on-the-spot care, for example, or take a heart attack victim straight to a cardiac unit rather than to A&E.