About us

The Richmond Urgent Treatment Centre at Teddington Memorial Hospital is for when you need urgent medical attention, but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Book an appointment to avoid a long wait

We strongly advise that you book an appointment before coming to the UTC to avoid a long wait.

We aim to see patients with a booked appointment within 30 minutes of the appointment time. However, patients with an urgent clinical need will be prioritised.

You can book via NHS 111 if the UTC is the right place for you to receive treatment.

For 0-15 year olds, you can book via your GP if you are registered in the borough of Richmond.

Call 111 first for urgent care advice or visit NHS 111 online.

You may be referred to the urgent treatment centre by NHS 111 or by a GP. You can also just turn up and walk in.

The service is run by nurses and other healthcare professionals, supported by a GP.

Appointments

When you call NHS 111, they may add you to a list for the UTC to call you back, if that is the right place for you to be treated.

Young people aged 0-15 years may be given a booked GP appointment by your GP practice or NHS 111 if you are registered with a Richmond borough GP

You can still walk in and be given a booked appointment (you can then choose to sit and wait or come back at the appointment time)

When should I go to an urgent treatment centre? 

An urgent treatment centre is appropriate for conditions such as injuries, fevers, eye problems or suspected broken limbs.

If life is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E.

Examples of conditions treated at an urgent treatment centre are:

  • minor injuries to limbs, with possible fractures
  • urinary tract infections
  • rashes
  • superficial burns and scalds
  • wounds requiring stitching/closure
  • bites and stings
  • minor head injuries, such as large bumps, bruises, or cuts
  • tetanus injections if you need one following burns, cuts, or wounds
  • minor skin and tissue infections
  • removal of foreign bodies, including from eyes, ears and noses
  • emergency contraception

Urgent Treatment Centres have access to simple diagnostics such as pregnancy tests or x-rays, as well as a range of other services.

Prescriptions can be issued, but you will need to go to a pharmacy to get the medication. You can find a pharmacy near you here.

Are children seen in the Urgent Treatment Centre?

Yes.

Can patients contact the urgent treatment centre directly to book an appointment?

No.

Useful links

NHS 111 - Dial 111 from your phone to access this service when you need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency.

Children’s acute nursing service (CANS)

Opening hours: 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday

The Children’s Acute Nursing Service (CANS) offers specialist advice, information and treatment for children with minor illnesses. By getting the right care at the urgent treatment centre, children are less likely to have to go to A&E or to stay in hospital.

The service is run by specialist paediatric nurses who work with babies and children up to 15 years old in areas such as (but not limited to):

Upper respiratory tract symptoms/infections

Coughs, colds, earache, sore throats, asthma exacerbations/wheezing, sinus conditions, flu-like symptoms, acute bronchitis, hay fever, chest infections

Skin conditions

Rashes, spots, insect bites and stings.

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, oral thrush

Urinary tract infections (boys and girls)

Eye conditions

Conjunctivitis, chalazion, styes

Wounds and lacerations

Superficial grazes, tetanus immunisation

Minor skin & tissue infections

Impetigo, minor cellulitis, abscesses, wound infections, paronychias (infection of the nail bed), nappy rash

Other

Fever, headache, crying baby, baby not feeding, colic, foreign bodies (ear and nose), fainting, nose bleeds, emergency contraception