TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) has announced the creation of six “urgent care centers” that will treat patients with mild symptoms and alleviate congestion in emergency rooms at major hospitals.
Both Taipei and Taoyuan will have three new UCCs by November. They will treat patients deemed to have semi-urgent needs (Level 4 on hospital triage scale), like sprains, breaks, or minor cuts, and non-urgent needs (Level 5) such as sore throats, minor infections, or prescription refills, per CNA.
Shih said visits to emergency rooms spike during weekends or extended holidays, with congestion leading to widespread complaints from both citizens and medical professionals. UCCs aim to bring in patients through greater convenience and lower cost.
UCCs will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and consecutive holidays. Services will include simple surgeries such as sutures for external injuries, along with X-rays, blood draws, and medication. Other services include internal medicine and pediatrics.
Two UCCs will be located within Taipei City Hospital branches due to the availability of space and necessary equipment. In Taoyuan, UCCs will be located in regional hospitals that do not offer emergency room service.
Similar centers are an important part of medical care in the US, Japan, and Germany.
