Royal Preston Hospital

Accessing the urgent care centres

Patients can walk-in to the urgent care centres 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week. All patients who attend the urgent care centres are seen and treated by a range of clinical staff, including a doctor or nurse. You may be seen by an advanced nurse practitioner who, like doctors, are able to prescribe medication if this is necessary, or urgent care practitioners, who are usually senior nurses or paramedics who have undertaken further training. Self-care advice is available from every member of the clinical team, including pharmacists who are available to provide expert advice on medication.

Pre-booked appointments via NHS111

The urgent care centres operate an out-of-hours service, Monday – Friday, between 6.30pm and 8am and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays. When GP surgeries are closed, patients can access the out-of-hours service via NHS111. Calls are passed to an out-of-hours doctor or healthcare professional for telephone assessment, advice, an appointment at one of the urgent care centres, or a visit to a patient’s home.

Please note, the emergency department at Chorley Hospital is open from 8am until 8pm. Patients who require emergency treatment outside of these hours will be directed to Royal Preston Hospital.

For further information on the services provided, please view the patient leaflet.