Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA) is expanding urgent same-day care this winter with the launch of five new Same Day Children’s Hubs, the first PGPA service specifically designed to support children. These hubs will provide fast, safe, same-day assessment and treatment for children with acute symptoms, not limited to respiratory illness, giving families reassurance and quick access to care close to home.
Each of Calderdale’s five Primary Care Networks (PCNs) will host one hub – operating out of a GP Practice Monday to Friday, from 12:00pm to 6:00 pm, from 1 December 2025 until 24 April 2026.
The Same Day Children’s Hubs will see children with a range of acute symptoms, such as:
- Cough, sore throat, earache
- Mild rash (with no fever and no meningitis symptoms), or eczema flare.
- Abdominal pain (mild, no fever), vomiting or diarrhoea (mild)
- Asthma exacerbation (mild)
- Urine infections
- Other general unwellness
Parents and carers can be reassured that these hubs are designed to provide safe, same-day care for children with a new problem who need to see a doctor that day. Appointments will be made through GP practices, ensuring children are seen promptly by experienced clinicians in a calm, supportive environment.
As with the existing PGPA Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) hubs, the new hubs for children will also use rapid Point of Care Testing (POCT) to support clinical decision-making for respiratory symptoms. The simple finger-prick blood test helps clinicians determine within minutes whether a respiratory illness is likely to be viral or bacterial, enabling safe, evidence-based treatment and helping to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Will Menzies, PGPA’s Chief Executive, said:
“This is an important step forward for primary care in Calderdale. By introducing dedicated Same Day Children’s Hubs, complete with Point of Care Testing, we’re giving clinicians the tools to make quicker, more confident decisions and providing reassurance for parents and carers who are understandably concerned when their child becomes unwell. It’s also the first PGPA-led initiative focused specifically on children, and we’re proud to be delivering something that will make such a difference to local families.”
To further support local urgent care capacity, the Emergency Department at Calderdale Royal Hospital will also be able to book children into the hubs if they present at A&E with the appropriate symptoms – helping to reduce waiting times and ensuring children are cared for in the most appropriate setting.
Helen Rees, Director of Operations for Medicine, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Following the proven success of ARI hubs, the introduction of Children’s Same Day Care Hubs marks a significant and positive step in addressing health needs during the winter period. Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust fully supports this initiative, which complements our own Same Day Emergency Care services. Together, these measures will help alleviate pressure on A&E departments and reduce avoidable hospital admissions, ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.”
The new Same Day Children’s Hubs will complement PGPA’s network of Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs, which continue to deliver high-quality respiratory care and diagnostics for adults across Calderdale. Last winter, the ARI hubs made over 17,000 additional appointments available, achieving a 97% utilisation rate and helping to avoid more than 10,600 potential A&E attendances.
Dr Asif Yaseen, Local GP and Medical Director of Pennine GP Alliance, said:
“Our ARI hubs have already shown the value of providing fast, effective care for patients with respiratory illnesses. The new Same Day Children’s Hubs extend that model to young patients with acute conditions – ensuring families get the right care quickly while helping local practices manage demand during the winter months.”
The Same Day Children’s Hubs are funded by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board in Calderdale.
Further details on the Same Day Children’s Hubs and their locations in Calderdale can be found on the PGPA website here.