Use walk-in centre for non-urgent medical needs, not A&E, urge health bosses

Patients needing medical assistance during the bank holiday weekend are being urged to ease pressure on hospital A&E departments by visiting their local walk-in centre.

Brighton Station Health Centre in Queens Road, Brighton, run on behalf of the local NHS by Care UK, is open 365 days a year.

Dr Marjorie Gillespie, Care UK’s Director of Primary Care, urged patients to use the centres for appropriate advice and treatment.

Dr Gillespie said: “Our centre can help with a wide number of minor injuries and illnesses such as minor throat/chest infections, stomach complaints, urine infections, ear infections, skin complaints including rashes and insect bites/stings, minor wounds, bruising and swelling, minor head injuries and sprains, strains and soft tissue injuries.

“The wait at our walk-in centre is very likely to be considerably less than at A&E and you will be seen by fully qualified nurses and doctors. Bank holidays always put added pressure on local NHS services so it really helps everybody if patients choose the most appropriate course of treatment.”

Dr Gillespie also reminded patients who have repeat prescriptions to ensure they have sufficient medication to see them over the bank holiday weekend.

“Whilst we are able to arrange for medication to be prescribed, we can only prescribe enough for the weekend. Also, the duty pharmacist may not be that close to the patient so it’s not an ideal scenario for the patient.

Additionally, it means the service is placed under added pressure when it is always very busy dealing with urgent care calls from patients,” she said.

Brighton Station Health Centre is open 8am-8pm, 365 days a year for walk-in patients. These extended hours have also made it a very popular choice with patients who have chosen it as their registered GP surgery.

Further information about registering as a patient with Brighton Station Health Centre can be obtained on 0333 321 0946.