When can i go to urgent care

If you hurt yourself or your child suddenly falls ill in the middle of the night, you may be unsure whether you should go to the nearest emergency room immediately or wait until morning to visit an urgent care center. It helps to understand the difference in the level of care in an emergency room versus an urgent care center because rising healthcare costs strain both the healthcare system and patient pocketbooks.

A visit to the emergency room can be expensive because numerous tests are often done to diagnose the problem, and you or your child may receive intensive treatments. Diagnostic tests typically performed in an emergency room include blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, MRIs and other high-tech hospital tests. Emergency rooms also can sedate a child who needs to have a painful procedure. Many ERs have surgeons and specialists on-call 24 hours a day.

When can i go to urgent care

When to Head to Urgent Care

If possible, it’s best to see your primary care doctor or your child's pediatrician for routine healthcare needs because they are already familiar with the relevant medical history. However, if you're unable to see your regular doctor and need to be seen the same day, a visit to an urgent care center is a convenient, cost-effective option.

Urgent care centers can treat moderate, unforeseen medical problems in adults and children that – while not emergencies – require care within 24 hours. Urgent care situations can include:

  • A cut that needs stitches.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Fever.
  • Sore throat.
  • Ear pain.
  • Vomiting and diarrhea.
  • An eye scratch.
  • Worsening of an existing condition, such as mild to moderate asthma.
  • A spike in blood pressure.
  • Routine injuries, such as sprained ankles and back problems.
  • Simple broken bones.
  • A non-life-threatening accident or fall.

When to Head to the Emergency Room

A true emergency is when an illness or injury places you or your child's health or life in serious jeopardy and treatment cannot be delayed.

In these situations, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room:

  • Facial drooping, arm weakness and difficulty speaking (signs of a stroke).
  • Dizziness, sudden confusion and difficulty seeing or moving your body.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Chest pain.
  • Head injury with blacking out.
  • Severe allergic reaction.
  • Spurting blood.
  • Seizure or unconsciousness.
  • Ingestion of a toxic substance.
  • High-speed car accident or a high fall.

Be Prepared Beforehand

Before you or your child ever have a serious medical problem, you should know the choices available to you through your insurance company. Also learn the locations of the closest emergency department and urgent care centers and how to get there.

​Our 24-HR Urgent Care Centre is run by the FAST Programme, and provides emergency medical treatment for all patients.

Here, our experienced care teams look after you and your loved ones from acute, sub-acute, to rehabilitative care at our integrated wards.

When can i go to urgent care
When can i go to urgent care

The Urgent Care Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is accessible via private ambulance service and walk-ins.

When can i go to urgent care

You can go to an urgent treatment centre (UTC) if you need urgent medical attention, but it's not a life-threatening situation. UTCs are open at least 12 hours a day, every day.

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

  • sprains and strains
  • suspected broken limbs
  • minor head injuries
  • cuts and grazes
  • bites and stings
  • minor scalds and burns
  • ear and throat infections
  • skin infections and rashes
  • eye problems
  • coughs and colds
  • high temperature in child and adults
  • stomach pain
  • being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
  • emergency contraception

Information:

If you're not sure what to do

NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical help or you're not sure what to do.

They will ask questions about your symptoms so you get the help you need.

If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 will book an arrival time. This might mean you spend less time in A&E. This also helps with social distancing.  

You can get help from 111.nhs.uk or call 111. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get help from 111.nhs.uk

Video: urgent treatment centres

This video explains what urgent treatment centres are and when to use them.

Media last reviewed: 1 October 2021
Media review due: 1 October 2024

Page last reviewed: 20 September 2021
Next review due: 20 September 2024

What considered urgent?

The law says that it is an emergency if you reasonably believe that it is an emergency. It is an emergency if waiting to get care could be dangerous to your life or a part of your body. A bad injury or a sudden serious illness can be an emergency. Severe pain and active labor are also emergencies.

When should you seek urgent medical attention?

Conditions that can be treated at an urgent treatment centre include:.
sprains and strains..
suspected broken limbs..
minor head injuries..
cuts and grazes..
bites and stings..
minor scalds and burns..
ear and throat infections..
skin infections and rashes..

Can urgent care diagnose a stomach ulcer?

As an urgent care and walk-in clinic, they're well-suited to review your symptoms and diagnose your stomach issue.

What time of day is urgent care least busy?

If you can, avoid the busiest urgent care hours. First thing in the morning can also be busy, as people who've been suffering during the overnight hours come in to seek care. You'll usually have the shortest wait time during mid-day, when there are typically less patients seeking care.