Rugbeians with minor injuries and illnesses urged to go to St Cross instead of Walsgrave as NHS fights Covid-19

Urgent treatment centres to treat minor injuries and illnesses to free up capacity for COVID-19 response at University Hospital in Coventry.

Members of the public are being advised that the Emergency Department at University Hospital Coventry will no longer treat minor injuries or illness in people aged 16 and over in order to free up vital resources in the fight against Covid-19.

During this time Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre and the Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre will be able to provide essential services to the local community.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust is asking the public to consider if they are in need of these facilities and make an informed choice on attendance.

Patients with minor injuries or illness attending University Hospital will be re-directed to the Urgent Treatment Centres.

Rugby Urgent Treatment Centre, based at the Hospital of St Cross in Barby Road (CV22 5PX), is available 24/7 for minor injuries and illnesses and the Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre, in Stoney Stanton Road (CV1 4FS), is available for minor illness and injuries (no x-ray facilities on site) from 8am to 10pm daily.

All other emergency services at University Hospital, including the Children’s Emergency Department (ages 0 to 15), will be operating as normal.

Hospitals across Coventry and Warwickshire are working together to direct patients to the best place.

If you would usually attend UHCW for minor injuries or illness, please use these urgent treatment centres and do not use other hospital sites.

Patients who would normally use George Eliot Hospital or Warwick Hospital should continue to do so.

Professor Kiran Patel, chief medical officer for UHCW NHS Trust said: “Our Emergency Department in Coventry has an important role to play in the coming weeks and months for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire and we must protect the most vulnerable.

“We encourage members of the public who have minor injuries or illness to use these alternative services online and in the community. Our Urgent Treatment Centres are managed by our Emergency Department and are therefore continually supported by senior clinical support as and when it is needed.”

Patients who have an eye emergency are also being asked not to attend hospital straight away and instead call a specialised telephone number:

02476 964800 or 02476 964802 or 02476 964806 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

02476 966626 (Saturday 9am to midday)

Patients will be able to speak to an expert clinician who will offer advice on the next steps to take.

Anyone who needs advice out of hours should telephone NHS 111 in the first instance for support and guidance.

Further information on service updates and developments at UHCW NHS Trust is available at https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk