An "innovative" facility helping ensure patients who need urgent or unscheduled care are directed to the appropriate service has received a visit from the Scottish Government's health secretary.

Michael Matheson MSP, cabinet secretary for NHS recovery, health and social care, paid a special visit to the Flow Navigation Centre at University Hospital Crosshouse on Monday, October 30 to hear more about the work of the Ayrshire Urgent Care Service.

The Flow Navigation Centre provides 24/7 direct care to patients and identifies the pathway most suited to their needs within a community setting, wherever possible.

This may be directing patients to a community pharmacy or community-based service. 

During the out of hours period patients may also receive care by visiting a Primary Care Treatment Centre or a clinician visiting them in their home.

If a community pathway is not appropriate, patients may be directed to an appropriate secondary care service.

Each month, only seven per cent of ambulance calls and eight per cent of calls from care home staff which are supported by the FNC result in patients attending hospital.

AUCS deals with around 9,500 contacts each month, with the majority coming through the GP out of hours service which are dealt with by the out of hours team.

Through these integrated community pathways, only 12 per cent of those contacts need to be referred to a hospital for further care and treatment.

Michael Matheson MSP said: “All around Scotland, health boards are putting in place innovative solutions to improve the flow of patients through hospitals, and to ensure people get the care they need as quickly as possible.

"NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Flow Navigation Centre is an excellent example of that, and it was a pleasure to meet the staff and find out how they are helping patients day in and day out.”