Primary Care Assessment Service (PCAS)
This Assessment Service allows GPs to refer patients to be observed for a longer period of time before a diagnosis or referral is made.
This will allow the hospital team to see if a patient responds to short-term treatment, such as intravenous antibiotics or rehydration treatment, before a decision is made over whether the patient needs longer term treatment or if they need to be admitted to hospital.
They are designed to treat and diagnoses minor injuries and ailments. Various tests such as chest x-rays, and blood tests following referrals from GPs can also be performed as an out-patient facility.
PCAS sits within A&E units in Carlisle, Whitehaven and Barrow.
Penrith Community Hospital: 01768 245272
Furness General Hospital, Barrow: 01229 870870
Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal: 01539 732288
GPs refer patients to PCAS for assessment and diagnosis to allow our GPs to decide the best place for the patient, be it to admit them to the Langdale Unit, transfer them to the Acute Hospitals (RLI or FGH) or to arrange for the patient to be looked after in their own homes with the help of other community services.
Patients who visit PCAS with an emergency or minor injury will be seen as quickly as possible but at times when the department is busy they may have to wait. Patients are seen in order of clinical need and priority is given to patients presenting with medical emergencies. Some patients may be able to be seen by the Nurse Clnician/Team Leader/Nurse Practitioner and some occasions patients may need to return for a follow up and an appointment will then be made for you.
Patients can access PCAS 24 hours a day, the department currently sees in excess of 20,000 patients a year.
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