Urgent Treatment Centres help you and your family

A Derbyshire patient who badly gashed his hand whilst using a pair of secateurs has spoken in glowing terms about the swift care that he received at his local Urgent Treatment Centre.

After nearly slicing the end of his finger off tending to his garden, Richard Lindop had to be driven straight to the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) in Ripley, where he was seen much sooner than he would’ve been at Accident and Emergency (A&E).

In addition to having his wound treated on the day, Richard was then booked in for a check-up appointment at the UTC a few days later, so that his dressing could be checked and he could be prescribed with antibiotics.

Richard said: “I nearly sliced the end of my finger off whilst I was in the garden, so I went straight to the Urgent Treatment Centre, in Ripley. I was seen, treated and back home all within an hour, which was fantastic!”

“I was looked after so well by everyone, from the receptionist, to all of the nursing staff. On each occasion that I’ve attended the UTC, I’ve been seen within half an hour and have been extremely well looked after and treated quickly and effectively.” 

There are currently five different UTCs across Derbyshire at the community hospitals in Ripley, Ilkeston, Buxton, Whitworth and at the former Derby Urgent Care Centre, in Derby city centre.

Each of the centres can provide x-rays and treat non-life-threatening injuries and conditions like strains, sprains, suspected broken limbs, eye problems, fevers, and abdominal pain, as well as providing emergency contraception.

Patients can either attend their nearest UTC without an appointment, or book to be seen via NHS 111 or through a GP referral, with each of the centres offering a sound alternative to A&E for patients with non-life-threatening concerns.

Urgent Treatment Centres are open at least 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Get more information about NHS services available to you in an emergency