Trust urges public to choose services wisely and only attend the Emergency Department for serious illnesses and emergencies
With high numbers of people attending our Emergency Department and a surge in seasonal winter infections such as Covid, Flu and Norovirus, we are urging the public to choose services wisely over the next few days. This means only attending the Emergency Department in a genuine emergency to help ensure we can continue to deliver safe care to those who need it most.
Our staff are working hard to manage the significant pressure on our services and provide care for those who need it most – including discharging those who are well enough and treating all patients coming into our Emergency Department.
We are also currently caring for several patients with Norovirus and are taking additional infection control measures throughout the hospital to help our patients recover – including asking visitors to wash their hands before and after visiting, to wear masks in clinical areas, and to stay at home if they have had diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms in the last 48 hours or symptoms of flu or cold.
Despite these challenges, essential services remain open for anyone with a serious illness or emergency. So if you require urgent medical help, it’s vital that you continue to come forward or call 999.
If you are unwell and your need is non-urgent, please help us help you and seek help from the most appropriate health services – including NHS 111 online as your first port of call for 24/7 advice about the most appropriate care for your needs.
Patients who need medical advice should also make use of local pharmacies and their local GP, and for non-life-threatening care such as for minor injuries, please use local Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) or Minor Injury Units (MIU).
Your nearest Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) and Minor Injury Units (MIU) are:
- Caterham MIU (if aged 18 and over) – Located at Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, CR3 5RA. Open 9am – 8pm, seven days a week. This is a convenient alternative to A&E or ED and is run by qualified emergency nurse practitioners. The MIU provides treatment for cuts and grazes, sprains and strains, broken bones (fractures), bites and stings, infected wounds, eye problems such as infections or scratches, sports injuries, minor burns and scalds.
- Crawley UTC – Located at Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UTCs treat most injuries that are urgent but not life threatening. For example, sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
- Horsham MIU – Located at Horsham Hospital, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2DR. Open 9am – 5pm from Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays. They are a minor injuries unit staffed by emergency nurse practitioners and other nursing and ancillary staff. They provide assessment and treatment of a wide range of minor injuries in both adults and children.
- East Grinstead MIU – Located at Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ. Open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. The unit is run by emergency practitioners and experienced specialist nurses and paramedics who are able to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments for both adults and children over one year old. On call cover is also available for emergency referrals outside of these hours.
Patients should only call 999 or come to A&E in a life-threatening emergency.