New 24-hour urgent care centre opens in town

People with minor illnesses and injuries and being asked to use the urgent treatment centres

A new 24-hour urgent treatment centre is opening in a town, with other care services nearby also extending their opening hours.

Health bosses said it was hoped Middlesbrough Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at James Cook University Hospital would reduce pressure on busy emergency departments.

The UTC at Redcar Primary Care Hospital will also extend its hours so it stays open until midnight.

NHS bosses said they hoped the changes would mean the same care was provided whether you lived in the North or South Tees area.

UTCs at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton and University Hospital of Hartlepool are already open 24 hours a day.

The trust said GPs, nurse practitioners and health support workers at the centres would be able to treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries including:

• 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

• Urinary tract infections

The service will be jointly run by an alliance of four health organisations, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the North East Ambulance Service and Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP federation.