Urgent care centre
Emergency care
What we do
Our urgent care centre is located at Guy's Hospital. We're a walk-in service if you need urgent medical attention but it’s not an emergency.
We see people aged 1 years old and older. Children under 1 can be seen in our children's emergency department.
We treat minor injuries and illnesses, such as:
- broken bones
- bites
- burns and scalds
- infections
- minor illnesses including fever, infections and rashes
- sprains
- wounds
We do not offer:
- repeat dressings (please see your GP practice nurse)
- repeat prescriptions, unless in an emergency, when a short duration may be prescribed
- sexual health (please see your local sexual health clinic)
- dental pain or emergencies (please see your local dentist or call 111 for emergency dental services)
- non-urgent specialist referrals
Visit the NHS website for more information about when to visit an urgent treatment centre.
At the urgent care centre
When you arrive, our receptionist will ask for your:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- contact telephone number
- details of your GP or next of kin
We need this information to produce a treatment card for you. All the information that you give us is confidential.
Our senior nurse or doctor will assess you immediately. They might refer you somewhere else for more appropriate treatment. This could be at:
- our emergency department (A&E) if you are seriously ill
- your GP or pharmacist if you do not need to be treated at the centre
We usually see you quicker at the urgent care centre than in the emergency department (A&E). How long you wait depends on:
- the seriousness of your condition
- how many people with more serious or urgent needs arrive in the unit while you're waiting
Leaving the urgent care centre
We may give you a letter for your GP with information about your condition. This helps them give you a better service.
We're unable to provide transport home for most people. Guy's Hospital is well served by public transport.
Last updated: August 2023
