Currently Redcar Minor Injury Unit (MIU) only sees patients with minor injuries, but the new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will also treat minor illnesses.
Opening times will remain as 8am to 9.30pm, 365 days a year – including bank holidays, with access to x-ray facilities. Pre-bookable appointments will be available via NHS 111.
The change is part of a national drive to introduce UTCs across the country by December 2019 to ensure patients have the same experience of urgent services regardless of where they are in the country.
Urgent and emergency care service manager Julie Suckling said: “We know that patients generally understand when something is serious enough to go to the emergency department or call 999, however when they have a less serious condition they are not aware of where they can access the care they need closer to home.
“The new standard ensures these urgent services are standardised and provide a clear and comprehensive service to patients.”
It is hoped this new standard will reduce any confusion around which part of the NHS offers which service, in turn reducing the number of people who attend emergency departments when they could be treated more appropriately - and faster - elsewhere.
Redcar UTC will be able to treat adults and children for:
· 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
· Abdominal pain
· Vomiting and diarrhoea
New signage will be installed at the site to demonstrate that the service has changed in line with national UTC standards.
For more information visit www.southtees.nhs.uk/hospitals/Redcar
