Urgent care services
If you are very unwell or have an injury that needs urgent attention (but is not life threatening) there are a range of urgent care services where you will be seen on the same day by a qualified healthcare professional.
Across Hertfordshire and west Essex there are different types of urgent care services that can help, including urgent treatment centres, minor injuries units and an integrated urgent care hub.
If you need urgent care and aren’t sure which service can best help you, contact NHS 111 to get the right support for your needs. NHS111 (and sometimes your GP) can also make an appointment for you at some sites. You can attend without an appointment and wait to be seen at most (but not all) urgent treatment centres or minor injuries units.
If you or someone with you needs mental health support, this page has information about urgent mental health care.
Urgent treatment centres
Urgent treatment centres (UTCs) are staffed by GPs and other qualified healthcare staff. They are equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common injuries and illnesses that people might go to A&E for. NHS111 or your GP may make an appointment for you at an urgent treatment centre if they think that this is the best service for your needs. You can also go to an urgent treatment centre without an appointment and wait to be seen. Waiting times to be seen in an urgent treatment centre will usually be shorter than at an emergency department (A&E), but it will vary depending on how busy the centre is and the urgency of your condition or injury.
The following urgent treatment centres are available locally.
Hemel Hempstead Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre
Hillfield Road,
Hemel Hempstead,
HP2 4AD.
Open 8am to 10pm every day.
Watford General Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre
Vicarage Road,
Watford,
WD18 0HB.
Open 8am to 2am every day.
New QEII Hospital Urgent Care Centre
Howlands,
Welwyn Garden City,
AL7 4HQ.
Open every day from 8am to 10pm.
You can see a GP at the centre between 10pm and 8am if you have an appointment.
Lister Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre (over 16s)
Lister Hospital,
Coreys Mill Lane,
Stevenage,
SG1 4AB
Open every day from 8am to 10pm (last admissions from 8pm depending on how many people are waiting).
Minor injuries units
Minor injuries units are run by qualified nurses. They can deal with a range of minor injuries such as fractures, sprains, minor burns and scalds, cuts, bites or stings, eye or skin problems, and removal of splinters or other foreign bodies. They can treat children aged two years and over and adults. Minor injuries units provide a walk-in service.
The following minor injuries units are available in Hertfordshire and west Essex.
Cheshunt Minor Injuries Unit
King Arthur Court,
Cheshunt,
EN8 8XN.
Open every day 8am to 8pm.
Herts and Essex Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
Haymeads Lane,
Bishop’s Stortford,
CM23 5JH.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm
Integrated urgent care hub
The integrated urgent care hub in St Albans diagnoses and treats minor illnesses and injuries. The service is provided by qualified and experienced nurses, and it is supported by GPs who can provide more additional medical support or treatment if needed. The service can treat children aged one year and over and adults.
You will need to be booked into the service by NHS111 or by your GP following an assessment of your needs. The integrated urgent care hub does not offer a walk-in service and you cannot contact the service directly to ask for an appointment.
St Albans City Hospital Integrated Urgent Care Hub
Waverley Road,
St Albans,
AL3 5PN.
Open every day 9am to 6pm.