Service available in:
We have urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and walk-in centres (WICs) across Cheshire and Merseyside.
If you need same day urgent care, please contact www.111.nhs.uk or call 111. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days per week and they’ll know the best service for your treatment need.
You can also turn up to any of our UTCs and WICs without an appointment. Select your nearest site from the drop down menus below for further information. However, if its an emergency or a serious injury, you should dial 999 or go straight to A&E.
A&E or 999 is for life threatening situations and emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, a sudden confused state, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fits that are not stopping and severe bleeding.
For any medical or mental health emergencies, you should call 999 or visit A&E. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Visit when to call 999 for further information and emergency examples.
NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical help or you’re not sure what to do. Its available online or over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
If you are worried about someone with mental health problems, go to our Urgent help page.
Our walk-in and urgent treatment centres are run by a team of highly skilled multidisciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please self-isolate and contact NHS 111.
Our urgent treatment centres:
Kirkby Urgent Treatment Centre is open seven days a week from 8am to 8.30pm.
Before attending, we recommend you contact NHS 111 to check this is the service you require, as they may be able to help arrange your appointment.
You can also turn up to any of our Urgent Treatment Centres without an appointment.
Our Knowsley Urgent Treatment Centre
Our Urgent Treatment Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multidisciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
Old Swan Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am to 8pm seven days per week. Before attending, we recommend you contact NHS 111 to check this is the service you require, as they may be able to help arrange your appointment.
You can also turn up to any of our Urgent Treatment Centres without an appointment.
Our Liverpool Urgent Treatment Centres
Our Urgent Treatment Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multidisciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
Litherland Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am to 8pm seven days per week. Before attending, we recommend you contact NHS 111 to check this is the service you require, as they may be able to help arrange your appointment.
You can also turn up to our Urgent Treatment Centres without an appointment.
Our South Sefton Urgent Treatment Centre
Our Urgent Treatment Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multidisciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
What our urgent treatment centres do
Our urgent treatment centres (UTCs) are a GP-led service which is supported by highly skilled clinical practitioners. In addition to treating minor minor injuries and illnesses that are not an emergency, the new UTCs are aiming to include diagnostics, urine tests and x-rays, and prescribe medication and issue prescriptions for some conditions. They will also be able to refer patients to other urgent care services within the community and hospitals.
Why are some of Mersey Care’s walk-in centres (WICs) being upgraded to urgent treatment centres (UTCs)?
This is part of the national redesign to expand seamless (joined up) care outside of a hospital setting. Our four designated UTCs will provide services that are consistent across the country and will act as the front door to stream patients to the right service for their individual care needs.
What does this change mean for patients?
In addition to treating minor injuries and illnesses that are not an emergency, the new UTCs are aiming to include diagnostics, urine tests and x-rays, and prescribe medication and issue prescriptions for some conditions. They will also be able to refer patients to other urgent care services within the community and hospitals.
When should a patient visit a UTC?
Examples of the types of patients suitable for a UTC include:
• Strains and sprains
• Suspected broken limbs
• Minor head injuries
• Cuts and grazes
• Bites and stings
• Minor scalds and burns
• Ear and throat infections
• Skin infections and rashes
• Eye problems
• Coughs and colds
• Feverish illness in adults
• Feverish illness in children
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Emergency contraception.
This is not an exhaustive list but it shows some of the minor illness and minor injuries which should be treated at a UTC.
What are the opening times?
The service is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week, 365 days a year.
What is the difference between a WIC and a UTC?
Walk In Centres can help with many, but not all, of the same problems as urgent treatment centres. If they cannot help with a particular problem, they will direct you to where you can get the right help.
How will patients get an appointment at a UTC or WIC?
Patients are encouraged to contact NHS 111 to access urgent treatment services. When a patient needs to see a GP, or needs an appointment at a UTC, a mental health crisis service or other service, this should be booked directly for them. Equally, patients can simply walk-in and get seen by a clinician.
Is Mersey Care planning to make any changes to the remaining WICs?
We are reviewing all of our remaining Walk In Centres to see whether they can become UTCs in the future.
What does “GP-led” mean?
GP led means that GPs should have a clinical leadership role within the UTC. This clearly positions UTCs as a primary and community service and brings consistency throughout the country. This will be supported by a multi-disciplinary workforce.
Does GP-led mean a GP will need to be on site at all times?
No, it will not always be desirable or practical to have a GP on site at all times. Commissioners will want to consider local demand, be realistic about local supply of workforce, and ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet patient requirements, including bookable appointments with GPs and other clinicians.
Where do mental health services fit in?
Mental health is a fundamental part of urgent care services, and pathways are in place to support those in crisis. Depending on local needs assessment, this may mean liaison mental health services or access to community based crisis services, as well as signposting to other services.
What happens if x-ray facilities are not available on site?
X-ray provision should ideally be available at the UTC. Where this is limited or not available, a referral pathway will be identified. This will include arrangements for patients to undergo X-ray in a timely manner and without clinical handover to a new team (unless otherwise clinically indicated).
How will patients understand what’s on offer at different services?
NHS 111 should be the guiding service for most urgent care needs. Wherever a patient enters the system they will have consistent access to all services and will, if necessary, be referred on through a process of direct booking whenever possible.
Check if you need an urgent care service
NHS 111 online can help if you are not sure what service you might need. If an urgent care service is not right for your problem, you will be offered alternative services.
Our walk-in centres:
Both Knowsley Walk-in Centres are open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8.30pm and on Sundays and Bank Holidays they are open 10am to 8.30pm.
Before attending, we recommend you contact NHS 111 to check this is the service you require, as they may be able to help arrange your appointment.
You can also turn up to any of our Walk-in and Urgent Treatment Centres without an appointment.
Our Knowsley Walk-in Centres
Our Walk-in Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multidisciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
Liverpool Walk-in Centres are open 8am to 8pm seven days per week. Before attending, we recommend you contact NHS 111 to check this is the service you require, as they may be able to help arrange your appointment.
You can also turn up to any of our Walk-in-Centres without an appointment.
Our Liverpool Walk-in Centres
Our Walk-in-Centres are run by a team of highly skilled multi-disciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
What our walk-in centres do
Our walk-in centres are run by a team of highly skilled multi-disciplinary staff, who can provide consultations, advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses in both children and adults.
These include:
- Infections and rashes (N.B. if measles is suspected, you are advised to stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice)
- Coughs and flu-like symptoms
- Ear ache and sore throats
- Cuts and bruises
- Minor burns and strains
- Emergency contraception and advice
- Insect and animal bites
- Stomach aches and upsets
- Urine infections
- Minor new eye problems.
Please consider visiting a WIC or UTC before attending accident and emergency (A&E) with a minor injury or illness. A&E departments are for serious and life threatening injuries only.
Is the UTC/WIC the best option?
If you're not sure if a UTC/WIC is the best option for you, you can contact NHS 111 for advice. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day; 365 days a year for any medical help which is needed fast, but is not a 999 emergency. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
You should still dial 999 as normal in a medical emergency.
We encourage everyone to make sure they choose the right NHS service to get the right treatment. Below is a list of options available depending on your medical need:
- Self-care - This is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries. A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home or simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.
- NHS 111 - If you’re not sure what to do and need medical advice fast, call 111 for free! There is also the online version at www.111.nhs.uk
- Pharmacists (chemists) - Are a great source of health care advice and information. They are experts in medicines and will help you decide if you need to see a doctor.
- GPs - Can help if you have an illness or injury that won't go away and any long standing condition. Other examples may include vomiting, ear pain, stomach ache and back ache.
- A&E or 999 - Is for life threatening situations and emergencies, such as choking, chest pain, sever difficulty breathing, blacking out and blood loss.
For further information visit our help-us-help-you page.
