The best way to access NHS urgent care services is to contact your GP practice or local pharmacy, or call NHS 111 when they are closed.
Urgent care is for minor injuries or illnesses which need medical attention the same day, but are not serious enough for the Emergency Department.
These are the main options for urgent care in Sunderland:
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
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.
Urgent Treatment Centre
Sunderland’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), is now located at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Rd, Sunderland SR4 7TP, next to the Adult Emergency Department. The UTC provides care for minor injuries and illnesses that require urgent treatment, but are not life-threatening. It is open from 8am to midnight, seven days a week, including bank holidays. Patients are advised to book an appointment via NHS 111 or through a GP referral, however patients can just ‘walk in.’
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.