This bank holiday weekend, staff from Penrith’s Urgent Treatment Centre are asking patients to think UTC for any urgent, but non-life threatening, medical needs.​

UTCs are equipped to diagnose and treat many of the most common ailments. A&E have to prioritise the most serious cases first so if your condition is less serious, but cannot wait until you can see a GP, a UTC may be the best place for you.

UTCs are led by highly qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners, GPs, staff nurses, and health care assistants.

NCIC has UTCs based at Keswick Hospital and at Penrith Hospital and you don’t need an appointment or a referral to access the services. Walk in services are open between 8.30am and 6pm in Keswick (X-ray 9:30am – 12:30pm Mon-Fri) and between 8am and 10pm at Penrith (X-ray 8:30am – 4:30pm Mon-Fri).

Dr Chander Shukla said:

"We at the Urgent Treatment Centre are here to see a wide variety to issues, ranging from medical problems such as breathing issues or chest complaints or suspected broken bones, burns, and cuts! If we can't treat you here we will advise or refer to our regional hospital in Carlisle." 

Zoe Rigg, UTC Nurse Manager, said:

“It’s really important that people understand what we can treat at the UTC, so that they can make an informed decision as to the best place for them to go. We are open every single day, including bank holidays, which means that people who live in the area don’t need to travel all the way to A&E to be treated for urgent health issues.”

Emma Harrington, UTC Nurse, said:

“We see a wide range of people, and I think a lot of people don’t realise how many things we can help with. For emergencies you need A&E, for ongoing care you need your GP, but for many other issues such as bites and stings we are here to help!”

Below is some recent feedback from a patient about their experience of using Penrith UTC:

“It was busy as expected but the care given by the nurse and student nurse I received was 10/10. They were both incredibly professional whilst having me in fits of laughter about the situation I had gotten myself in. They gave me the appropriate treatment and cared for me very well. Both the nurse and student nurse were so lovely, I was almost sad to leave once I had been sorted. They both made a rather poor bank holiday Monday turn into a rather great bank holiday. Thank you so much!”

Conditions that can be treated at an urgent treatment centre include:

  • Low level abdominal pain
  • allergies (not anaphylaxis)
  • bites and stings
  • coughs and colds and minor breathing issues
  • cuts and grazes
  • ear and throat infections
  • emergency contraception
  • eye problems
  • feverish illnesses
  • minor injuries
  • minor scalds and burns
  • skin infections and rashes
  • sprains and strains
  • suspected broken limbs

Urgent treatment centres are not the most appropriate place for:

  • alcohol related problems
  • breathing difficulties
  • chest pain
  • conditions likely to require hospital admission
  • gynaecological problems
  • major injuries
  • mental health problems
  • overdoses
  • pregnancy problems
  • problems usually dealt with by a GP, such as chronic conditions
  • sexual assault

For more information about urgent treatment centres please visit: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/services/urgent-treatment-centre