| "does the concept of urgent care exist outside the US?", someone else mentions A&E and you say that doesn't count because broken arms. To answer your point: in England we have: NHS Choices, a website that provides evidence based advice NHS 111: a free telephone helpline where health care professionals offer advice, or arrange a call back from a doctor, or recommends a visit to an doctor (and arranged an out of hours doctor if needed), or recommends minor injuries or A&E (and arranges ambulance treatment if needed) Pharmacy: all pharmacies offer health advice GP surgeries have GPs but also nurses who can provide a range of treatment including minor surgeries Minor Injury Units provide treatment for minor Injuries Accident and Emergency provide treatment for life threatening and other severe accidents - bit they're also misused as walk in treatment centres for a range of mild conditions. Some injuries would mean you get transported to a different hospital after being stabilised -- severe chemical burns would be one example. I've missed out midwife-led birth units, and all the mental health stuff. For a broken arm you'd go to A&E. They have to treat it and discharge you within 4 hours. Or you could go to minor injuries, where you'd probably get treated within 4 hours. A&E would have better scanning imaging options. All of these are free at the point of delivery. |