ACCIDENT and Emergency departments are under severe pressure this winter, due to the latest COVID-19 surge meeting seasonal demand for emergency or urgent care. Warrington Hospital’s Emergency Department is no different; with record numbers of patients seeking treatment.
Many of these patients, however, do have more suitable alternatives to Warrington Hospital’s Emergency Department. NHS Urgent Treatment Centres in Runcorn and Widnes can often be the better choice when you need urgent but not emergency treatment.
Choosing to attend one of the Urgent Treatment Centres has many benefits this winter – not only will you experience shorter waiting times, but you will be freeing up resources at the Emergency Department at Warrington Hospital for more seriously ill patients.
Both Urgent Treatment Centres are open 8am to 9pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year (including bank holidays). Please arrive before 8pm to allow time to be seen before closing.
Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) provide x-rays and you can be seen here for a wide range of issues that require urgent treatment, but are not life-threatening, such as:
• Minor cuts or wounds
• Bites, stings, rashes and allergic reactions
• Minor burns and scalds
• Sprains, strains and joint pains
• Earache or eye injuries and infection
• Emergency Contraception
Where to find your Urgent Treatment Centres:
Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre
Nightingale Building,
Hospital Way Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 2DA
Telephone: 01928 714567
Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre Health Care Resource Centre,
Oaks Place Caldwell Road
Widnes
WA8 7GD
Telephone: 0151 495 5000
If you travel by car, there is onsite parking (sat nav WA8 7GD)
There is also an Urgent Treatment Centre in St Helens at the Millennium Centre.
Anyone who has a cough, high temperature or any symptoms of COVID-19 should only attend Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre when they can provide evidence of a recent negative PCR test.
This requirement applies only to Runcorn UTC
You can find current waiting times for Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, as well as Warrington Emergency Department at www.whh.nhs.uk.
A free shuttle bus service runs throughout the day, seven days per week between Warrington Hospital to Halton Hospital/Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre and takes only 25 minutes.
Not sure where to seek help or advice?
If you need urgent medical advice and are not sure which is the best place for you to seek help and advice, then please contact NHS 111 free at 111.nhs.uk or call 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You will answer questions about your symptoms on the website, or by speaking with a fully trained advisor on the phone. Depending on the situation, you receive health information and advice and will find out what local service is right for you.
NHS 111 can also provide appointment slots for patients at local Urgent Treatment Centres, where appropriate.
If you’re experiencing a 999 emergency, which means that it is critical or life-threatening, then phone 999 for emergency help.
Making the right choices helps us all. Please let’s do it together this winter.
