NORTH Essex residents needing urgent medical care are being reminded to use Colchester’s walk-in centre in a bid to take the pressure off A&E departments.

NHS North East Essex, which runs the service, is trying to raise its profile because it believes many still do not know where it is and what it does.

Bosses say one in four people who go to A&E at Colchester General Hospital have a minor illness or injury, and could have been seen more quickly at the walk-in service, just five minutes away.

Dr Marjorie Gillespie, clinical director for the centre, said its aim is to see patients within 30 minutes. She said: “We would initially encourage people to self diagnose and treat by going to a pharmacy or their doctor, but if they are unable to do that, then to come to us. Things like car accidents, heart attacks and strokes are all conditions the A&E would deal with, but we could help with people who are concerned about asthma.

“We would still advise people with flu-like symptoms to go to their own GP.”

She said: “We can treat minor burns, cuts where stitches are not needed and sprains, and we see a lot of people who have concerns about rashes.

“If we feel an X-ray is needed or more urgent care, then we would refer the patient.”

She said extra signs in Turner Road to direct people to the centre had not prevented people going straight to A&E. She added: “Maybe they go past, and then think they are almost at the hospital so may as well go there.”

She said having the centre, which opens from 7am until 10pm daily, allowed A&E to better prioritise emergency cases.

For more information, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit www.choosetherightroute.co.uk