The clinical lead at Southampton's urgent treatment centre (UTC) has urged residents to explore all options before heading to A&E if a person has minor injuries or illnesses.

Those looking to be seen at the A&E department at Southampton General Hospital have been faced with long wait times recently, with patients having to sit for seven hours as recently as Monday.

But the city’s UTC at Royal South Hants Hospital is trying to take pressure off of the emergency department by reminding residents that it can treat most a minor injuries or illnesses that are new and not life or limb threatening.

Danny Wroe, clinical lead for the unit run by Practice Plus Group, says that the unit having the word ‘urgent’ in can often ‘mislead’ the public.

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“We still get people that don't really kind of understand what they should or shouldn't be coming here with,” the former paramedic said.

“We'll get people coming in with things like a cyst that they've got on their head that they've had for maybe 30 years and they decide today is the day that they kind of want something done about that. 

“They don't know where else to access but in that situation they should be seeing a GP.”

Inside the urgent treatment centre at Royal South Hants Hospital.Inside the urgent treatment centre at Royal South Hants Hospital. (Image: Practice Plus Group) The clinical lead at the UTC says that it is best to contact 111 in situations where someone has a new injury or illness that is not life or limb threatening.

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The NHS service can direct patients to the appropriate service, whether it be a pharmacy, A&E or the UTC itself, and it also has bookable spaces to allocate patients to.

Danny Wroe, clinical lead at the Royal South Hants Hospital urgent treatment centre.Danny Wroe, clinical lead at the Royal South Hants Hospital urgent treatment centre. (Image: Practice Plus Group) This ensures that patients do not go to A&E for minor problems or vice versa.

"We have 30 odd booked appointments with 111 available each day of the week, seven days a week," Danny said. 

The UTC manager said that patients with "quite complex needs" like those with learning difficulties or very young children can cut the wait time by getting an appointment and being seen within 30 minutes of their allocated time.