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Two Kent hospitals have changed the way they treat people suffering with minor injuries.
Both Deal's Victoria Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone have now adopted a bookable appointment system meaning people should not just turn up with their ailment.
Now known as an Urgent Treatment Centre, patients should call 111 and book a time slot to be seen.
People will not be turned away if they haven't booked an appointment, but may still be asked to wait or to book via 111.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s East Kent Community Services director Jane Kendal explained the new system is to support social distancing and make sure patients are treated in a safe way.
She said: “Our teams work tirelessly to provide excellent healthcare to all, but they must always do so in an environment that is safe for them and our patients.
“To provide a safe service during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have introduced a bookable appointment system at Deal and Folkestone urgent treatment centres to support social distancing and to make sure we can see patients in a safe way, making every effort to reduce the potential of COVID-19 infection.
“People needing to go to the urgent treatment centre are absolutely encouraged to do so. We have been open with patients throughout, only now we are asking them to call 111 so a time slot can be given to them.
"This reduces risk by reducing pressure on waiting areas.
"If someone arrives at an urgent treatment centre without an appointment, they will be triaged and seen, based on this assessment.
"People will not be turned away if they had not booked an appointment, but may still be asked to wait or to book via 111.
“Deal and Folkestone became urgent treatment centres at the beginning of April in line with the Government’s Long Term Plan.
"They are aimed at supporting the wider healthcare system, including supporting emergency departments, to better manage patients’ needs.’’
Both UTCs are open 8am until 8pm everyday of the year and are staffed by experienced nurse practitioners and nurses.
They offer a service to patients aged over 12-months-old for minor cuts, bites and stings, foreign bodies in wounds, ears and noses, minor burns and fractures to arms and lower legs.
At some units, patients can also be treated for minor ailments such as coughs, colds, ear, nose and throat infections and urinary tract infections.
Those with more serious problems should see their GP or go to an accident and emergency department.
MP for Dover and Deal Natalie Elphicke had received a number of concerns from constituents that the measure was permanent.
Mrs Elphicke said: “I’ve been given assurances that this is a temporary measure for social distancing, as apparently they’ve had to do the same in Folkestone but not Buckland due to the relative building designs.
“Yet I’ve also been clear about the need to draw up a plan to fully restore all the health services on which we rely.
“Critical treatments should be prioritised, but we should also look at how to make better use of our hospitals in Dover and Deal to make a wider range of services available as close to home as possible.”
