NHS encourages public to choose the right service, over Jubilee weekend

Rochdale Infirmary’s Urgent Care Centre

The NHS is urging people to consider Urgent Treatment Centres or Walk-in Centres should they need urgent medical attention across the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

Should you need medical attention, there are a variety of health care options available to you, your family, and friends. Urgent Treatment Centres and Walk-in Centres are open at least 12 hours a day, every day, including evenings, weekends and over bank holidays if you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

You don’t need an appointment and UTCs can help with many minor injuries and illnesses - things like sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, minor head injuries, ear, and throat infections, upset stomachs and emergency contraception.

Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director said: “Our NHS teams are working hard to prepare for the Bank Holiday. We hope you enjoy celebrating over this Jubilee weekend but, should you need urgent medical treatment or advice, there are a number of options available to you, including Urgent Treatment Centres, Emergency Care Centres and Walk-in Centres across the North West.”

Jo Richardson, 47, from Knowsley, trapped her finger in her back door when the wind blew it shut. She used her local Walk-in Centre at the St Chad’s Clinic and was seen within 20 minutes.  

The nurse wanted to ensure her finger wasn’t broken, and so she also had an X-ray and stitches to help the wound heal. From entering the centre to leaving, the total time Jo spent in the Walk-in Centre was 80 minutes.

Jo said: “My only other option was to go to A&E which is much further away. Without the Walk-in Centre I would have been sat for hours and hours in my local A&E. 

“It’s hard in the moment when you’ve been hurt but we need to consider our best options because often they are the best options for ourselves and for our NHS. What took 80 minutes could have taken a much longer time in A&E where they would have been seeing life-threatening emergencies constantly.”

Thanks to the Walk-in Centre, a week on and Jo is now on the mend. Her finger is healing, and she has full use of it.

In the Rochdale borough, there is an urgent care centre at Rochdale Infirmary which is open 24 hours a day.

For more information go to NHS UK Find Urgent Care. If you’re not sure which service you need, the 111 online service can give some quick advice go to www.111.nhs.uk.