Buxton minor injuries unit relaunched as 'urgent treatment centre'

The Buxton minor injuries unit has changed its name.

The new title better reflects the broad range of care that can be administered to patients at the centre.

Mark Roberts, general manager for specialist services Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the centre, said: “Patients have been able to come to us for treatment for illnesses as well as injuries for some time now and the new name better reflects the scope of what we offer to patients facing an urgent health need requiring same-day care.

“We are delighted to introduce this rebranded service as part of wider efforts across the NHS locally to ensure patients get the most appropriate care for their needs and that we free up emergency departments in Derby and Chesterfield for patients with emergency health needs.

"Patients can still find us in exactly the same place, just look for the new name.”

The Urgent Treatment Centre, previously known as minor injury unit, is open seven days a week, between 8am and 8pm and is located at Buxton Hospital.

Other minor injuries units across the county have also been renamed.

As part of the improvements to urgent care in Derbyshire, patients are being encouraged to ring NHS 111 for immediate advice if they are concerned they need urgent care.

In this way call handlers can do an initial assessment and book the patient for a same-day appointment at their nearest Urgent Treatment Centre if that is the most appropriate place for them.

Until now, the service has run purely as a walk-in-and-wait system. Although patients can still do this, they are being strongly advised to ring NHS 111 as a first step to getting the help they need.