Pennine GP Alliance ARI Hubs See Over 97% Utilisation as Winter Initiative Ends
Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA) has concluded its winter Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Hub initiative for 2024 to 2025, marking a highly successful period of enhanced respiratory care across Calderdale which included same-day face-to-face appointments.
Running from 30 September 2024 to 25 April 2025, the initiative saw the ARI hubs in operation for 30 weeks, offering fast, targeted support for patients with respiratory symptoms during the height of winter pressures. A total of 17,531 appointments were made available, with an impressive 17,054 of those used, reflecting a utilisation rate of over 97%.
Due to increasing demand midway through the programme, the number of ARI hubs was doubled from five to ten in January 2025, ensuring two hubs were operating in each of Calderdale’s five Primary Care Networks (PCNs) with appointments up until 8pm. This expansion helped provide greater access to care at a crucial time, significantly easing pressure on local GP practices and urgent care services.
In Central Halifax, the ARI hubs were located at Horne Street Surgery (The Boulevard Medical Practice) and Queens Road Surgery (Spring Hall Group Practice).
The ARI Hubs also supported 10,673 A&E avoidances – which means 10,673 patients who attended a PGPA ARI hub appointment reported that they would have otherwise attended A&E.
Clinicians continued to use Point of Care Testing (POCT) across the ARI hubs, with an average of 68% of patients who were eligible receiving a test. These tests helped differentiate between viral and bacterial infections, enabling more accurate and immediate clinical decisions. As a result, overall antibiotic prescribing was lower compared to the previous year, supporting better antimicrobial stewardship across the region.
Will Menzies, Chief Executive of PGPA said:
“We’re extremely proud of the impact the ARI hubs have made once again this winter. The high uptake of appointments and the ability to expand services midway through the cycle demonstrate the flexibility and effectiveness of this model.
“Thanks to the hard work of our clinical and operational teams, thousands of patients received timely, focused respiratory care when they needed it most.”
Dr. Fawad Azam, PGPA Board Member, Clinical Director for Calder and Ryburn Primary Care Network and a key clinician involved in the ARI hub initiative, added:
“The ARI hubs have proven to be an essential resource throughout the winter period. They’ve enabled us to manage high volumes of respiratory illness safely and efficiently, while maintaining continuity of care for our wider patient population.
The ability to access rapid testing and targeted treatment has not only benefited patients but also supported better clinical decision-making across our practices.”
The ARI hubs provided same-day access to respiratory assessment, diagnostic testing, oxygen saturation monitoring, treatment, and follow-up care. Patients were referred through their GP practice, ensuring smooth integration with existing primary care services.
This year’s programme was delivered with the support of the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, whose funding enabled the expansion and ongoing operation of the hubs throughout the winter season.
PGPA will now evaluate the outcomes of this year’s initiative to inform future planning, with a continued commitment to improving access, quality, and efficiency in local primary care services.
Find out more about PGPA’s Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs here.