Health chiefs are developing plans for 'urgent treatment centres' in east Kent in a bid to take pressure off over-stretched acute A&E departments.

The aim is to create a network of new services which would affectively replace and enhance what are currently known as minor injury units.

All of east Kent's main hospital sites are expected to accommodate the new departments which will be GP-led and offer a wider range of services.

The Estuary View Medical Centre, already a minor injuries unit, could be one of the locations but they may also include some of the smaller hospitals, like the Queen Victoria at Herne Bay and Faversham Cottage Hospital.

Exactly what will be offered and where is still be decided and the process is separate to that of the forthcoming consultation on acute services and the locations of A&E departments.

But health chiefs believe they are a vital part of the sustainability and transformation plan (STP) because many people seeking treatment in A&E could be treated elsewhere.

They admit there is currently some confusion for patients about where they should go for treatment.

The new urgent treatment centres will be GP-led, open every day for at least 12 hours and be equipped to diagnose and treat many of the most common ailments people attend A&E for.

Managing director of east Kent Clinical Commissioning Groups, Caroline Selkirk said: "We have already carried out public surveys and spoken to patient groups, local organisations, GPs and NHS staff about our plans to introduce urgent treatment centres.

"But before we finalise our plans, we want to give the public another opportunity to talk about them. "We want to know what they think about the benefits of such a service or to raise any concerns they have about the proposals.”

Now a public meeting to hear about and comment on the plans is being held on Tuesday, February 26, at The Pavilion Suite, Canterbury Cricket Ground in Old Dover Road from 10am until 4pm.

The public can register by emailing: nelcsu.engagement@nhs.net or calling 03000 424348.

Anyone unable to attend but still wishing to comment can email nelcsu.engagement@nhs.net.

The NHS says it plans to roll out about 150 urgent treatment centres nationwide by December this year.