Urgent care and minor injuries
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at the Emergency Department for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
If you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not life-threatening you can go to your nearest minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre to get care. They are open at least 12 hours a day, every day. They deal with conditions such as:
being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
bites and stings
cuts and grazes
coughs and colds
ear and throat infections
emergency contraception
eye problems
high temperature in child and adults
minor head injuries
minor scalds and burns
sprains and strains
skin infections and rashes
stomach pain
suspected broken limbs
Minor injuries and urgent treatment centres in East Sussex
Urgent care for infants and children
It can be difficult to know when to take your child to the emergency department (A&E).
Take your child to the Emergency Department if they have
a fever and are still sluggish (floppy), despite having paracetamol or ibuprofen
severe tummy (abdominal) pain
a leg or arm injury and cannot use the limb
swallowed a poison or tablets
Call an ambulance if your child:
stops breathing
is struggling for breath (for example, you may notice them breathing fast, panting, becoming very wheezy, or see the muscles just under their ribcage sucking in when they breathe in)
is unconscious or seems unaware of what’s going on
has a cut that will not stop bleeding or is gaping open
will not wake up
has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover.
Child first aid
Visit the NHS website for first aid advice for burns, cuts, swallowing non-edible objects/substances and more.
Useful NHS links
The NHS A-Z of health conditions gives advice on how to treat various conditions at home before seeking medical help.