Health leaders in Milton Keynes are encouraging local people to familiarise themselves with the difference between the city’s urgent care services and emergency department.
Underastanding the differences will help ensure everyone can access the right help as quickly as possible.
Both services are there to support people when they feel unwell but they are designed for very different types of illness and injury, and run by separate organisations.
Often referred to as 'the walk-in', the Urgent Care service is led by MK Urgent Care Services Limited and located just off the main hospital campus. It is equipped to treat a wide range of conditions, often more quickly than the hospital's Emergency Department, and is the best place to go for illnesses and injuries that need same‑day attention but are not life‑threatening, such as sprains and strains, cuts and bruises, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, skin infections and rashes, high temperature, cough, cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, ear pain and sinus pain, mental health concerns and emergency contraception.
“We know that it can be confusing to choose the right service, especially when you are anxious because you or a loved one feel unwell," said Dr Chris Griffin, from Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services in Milton Keynes, "Our urgent care team is here to help with health concerns that cannot be supported with self-care or by another service such as a pharmacy or a GP.
"Choosing the right service really does mean you will get to the care you need more quickly.”
The Emergency Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital is for serious or life‑threatening emergencies, including serious injuries, life-threatening emergencies such as bleeding that will not stop or breathing difficulties, chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack, stroke symptoms, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reactions and serious burns.
“Our Emergency Department is set up to care for the most critical and complex health emergencies," added Dr Daniel Sedgewick, Clinical Director for Emergency Medicine at MKUH, "When people come to us with conditions that could be treated safely elsewhere, it causes delays for everyone. By choosing the right service, you are helping us to prioritise emergency care for those who desperately need it."
You can discover more about the full range of NHS services that are there to support you on the NHS App or online, and remember that you can call NHS 111 24/7 to get the right treatment or advice. Always ring 999 for immediate life-threatening emergencies.
More information can be found at Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services – Delivering patient care and Accident and emergency services - Milton Keynes Hospital - NHS
