As a listening organisation, we know that patients living in Washington and Houghton have been concerned to ensure that NHS urgent care services are accessible locally, and not just in more central areas of Sunderland.
That’s why we have set up this page, to ensure that everyone knows how to use urgent care services when you need them. Urgent care is for minor injuries or illnesses which need medical attention the same day, but are not serious enough for the Emergency Department.
The best way to access NHS urgent care services in Houghton or Washington is to contact your GP practice or pharmacy, or call NHS 111 when they are closed.
These are the main options for urgent care in Houghton and Washington:
Caring for yourself at home
Remember, many minor illnesses can be treated at home with advice from your local pharmacist or a well-stocked first aid kit. Find out more here.
Pharmacists
Your local pharmacist is highly trained and provides free, confidential advice on minor illnesses from sickness and diarrhoea to hay fever.
GP practices – including extra evening and weekend appointments
Your GP practice is the first place for most healthcare needs. In many practices you can consult the team in person, online, by phone or video.
GP practices across the city have come together to offer GP appointments at evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Appointments can be booked through your GP practice and may also be offered via NHS 111 if assessment of your symptoms suggests this is the best option for you.
The extended access services in Washington and Houghton Primary Care Centres include minor injuries (by appointment).
Urgent care services
Sunderland’s Urgent Treatment Centre (at Pallion Health Centre) provides care for minor injuries and illnesses.
- 10am-10pm Monday to Friday
- 8am-10pm weekends and bank holidays
- No appointment needed
NHS 111
If you have an urgent need which is not life-threatening, NHS 111 health advisors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you get the right medical attention for your needs.
Emergency care
Please keep 999 and the Emergency Department (A&E) at Sunderland Royal Hospital for serious or life-threatening illness or injuries only. If your health need is not an emergency, you may be referred to a different service on arrival.