Date published: 10 July 2023
Three Walk-in Centres across Cheshire and Merseyside are being upgraded to Urgent Treatment Centres to include improved facilities from this autumn as part of a national redesign to ensure consistency of service for local communities.
It will increase the number of UTCs across the region run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust to four with Litherland having been upgraded in 2019. The UTCs, which are open from 8am to 8pm, are a GP-led service supported by highly skilled clinical practitioners and will be based at:
- Kirkby (St Chads) Urgent Treatment Centre
- Old Swan Urgent Treatment Centre
- South Liverpool (Garston) Urgent Treatment Centre
- Litherland Urgent Treatment Centre.
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.
Dr Rachel Williams, Clinical Director of Same Day Urgent Care, said: “We’re delighted to receive these new statuses which recognises the full offer that’s available to our patients. We’re making care easier to access and closer to home.
“Anyone facing an urgent health need requiring same day care shouldn’t hesitate to visit us. They are still in exactly the same place, just look for the new name and please remember to call NHS 111 in advance.”
Patients wishing to attend UTCs can simply turn up without making an appointment, however it’s recommended that people call NHS 111 in advance to check this is the service they require. You can also book an appointment by ringing 111.
Mersey Care also runs four Walk-in Centres (WICs) that are continuing to be developed:
- City Centre (The Beat)
- Huyton (Nutgrove Villa)
- Halewood
- Smithdown Children’s.
More information about Mersey Care’s UTC and WIC services can be found here: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/urgent-treatment
More information about our UTCs and Walk-in Centres can be found on their specialist webpage.