Background
Corby Urgent Care Centre (CUCC) recognised early on the need for holistic, person-centred care that addressed not just urgent medical needs, but also the broader wellbeing challenges faced by members of the local community. Since 2019, CUCC has hosted a dedicated Wellness Hub within a repurposed consulting room, with the aim of reducing health inequalities, improving mental and physical health, and empowering patients to improve their overall wellbeing.

Challenge
Corby’s health profile highlighted that local residents experience significantly poorer health compared to the national average, with elevated rates of self-harm, alcohol-related hospital stays, sexually transmitted infections, obesity, and child poverty. CUCC identified that many patients attending had wider unmet needs beyond their urgent clinical presentations, including anxiety, low mood, social issues, and a lack of access to suitable support networks. A proportion of these individuals were also repeat attenders, reflecting systemic gaps in the wider healthcare and wellbeing infrastructure.

Intervention
Using a population health management approach, CUCC analysed patient presentations and designed an integrated response through its Wellness Hub. The service operates daily from 8am to 8pm and is staffed by two Patient Advisorswith extensive experience and training in mental health, smoking cessation, pain management, domestic abuse, substance misuse, and more.

The Wellness Hub supports patients through:

• Wellbeing assessments and personalised goal-setting, using SMART planning and social prescribing techniques

• Direct support for issues such as anxiety, stress, and social isolation

• Connection with community services, including financial, housing, bereavement, and safeguarding support

• Liaison with clinical teams, ensuring cohesive care planning and continuity across services

All patients are first clinically triaged to ensure medical needs are addressed before being referred to the Wellness Hub.

COVID-19 Response
The Wellness Hub played a critical role during the pandemic, addressing rising cases of loneliness, anxiety, and social isolation. It adapted to offer video and telephone consultations, although most patients preferred the continuity and connection of face-to-face interactions. Staff wellbeing was also supported through confidential “Reach Out” drop-in sessions.

Outcomes

• Over 100 consultations per month, with steady demand since April 2020

• Positive patient feedback, citing empowerment, personalised care, and practical support

• Improved mood scores from initial consultation to final contact

• Reduction in inappropriate CUCC attendances via development of specialist pathways for frequent attenders

• Better continuity and engagement with specialist mental health services through joint planning and liaison

Ongoing Focus

• Expanding outreach to underrepresented populations, especially younger age groups and males

• Strengthening referral networks across primary care, community services, and third sector organisations

• Targeting public awareness campaigns to promote early engagement and self-management support

Quote from Patient Advisor
“The Wellness Hub is here to support and empower our community to address life’s challenges and meet their own wellbeing goals. We work collaboratively with patients and clinical staff to ensure person-centred, compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do.”