Alternative Services

These are some local services you may be signposted to if you need healthcare advice or treatment, if appropriate.

The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)

The UTC at Arrowe Park Hospital is open for both walk-in and bookable attendance slots (booked via NHS 111).

The service is staffed by a combination of GPs and Nurses who can support urgent Primary Care presentations.

There is a single entrance for the Emergency Department and the UTC however the UTC does have its own reception which is signposted.

Opening hours:

Monday – Sunday 8.00am – 10.00pm (including bank holidays).

Arrowe Park Urgent Treatment Centre, Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, CH49 5PE

Victoria Central Hospital (VCH) Walk in Centre and Minor Injuries Unit

VCH is open for both walk-in and bookable attendance slots (booked via NHS 111).

The service is staffed by Nurses and has x-ray facilities.

Opening hours:

Monday – Sunday 8.00am – 8.00pm (including bank holidays).

Victoria Central Walk-in Centre & Minor Injuries, Mill lane, Wallasey, CH44 5UF

Miriam Minor Illness and Injury Service

Miriam MIU is open for both walk-in and bookable attendance slots (booked via NHS 111).

The service is staffed by Nurses.  It does not have x-ray facilities.

Opening hours:

Monday – Sunday 8.00am – 8.00pm (including bank holidays).

Miriam Medical Centre, Birkenhead Medical Building, Laird Street, Birkenhead CH41 8DB

 The above services can support with:

• Minor burns, scalds and bruises
• Sprains and strains
• Minor cuts and wounds
• Minor head injuries (without loss of consciousness)
• Bites and stings
• Minor eye conditions (such as infections or foreign bodies)
• Skin problems (including rashes, infections and sunburn)
• Fever and general infections
• Stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Urinary infections and painful urination
• Earache or sinus pain
• Headaches (non-severe)
• Sore throat
• Emergency contraception and related advice
• Other minor illnesses and ailments
• Mild asthma or breathing difficulties
• Back, neck or joint pain

All services have nurse prescribers who can issue prescriptions if required.

Please note, Eastham Walk-in Centre is closed from Monday 15 December until Sunday 11 January 2026.

For minor eye conditions and minor ailments you can also attend the Minor Eye Conditions Service (MEC’s) (details below) or the NHS Pharmacy First Service.

Minor Eye Conditions Service (MEC’s)

Assessment and treatment of patients over the age of 16 years with minor eye conditions such as red eye, watery eyes, foreign bodies, and irritation.

Opening Hours 9-5pm Monday-Saturday.

27+ optometrists currently deliver service covering all areas of Wirral.

Patients can self-refer via their local optician; however, health professionals can seek advice or book an appointment for patients.

NHS Pharmacy First Service

The Pharmacy First Service enables community pharmacies to treat 7 common conditions (listed below).  Patients can be referred to the Service by general practice, urgent and emergency care settings, and NHS 111 (online and via telephone). In addition, patients can access the service by attending or contacting the pharmacy directly without the need for referral.

NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service

The Pharmacy Contraception Service provides:

• ongoing monitoring and supply of oral contraception prescriptions
• the initiation of oral contraception.  This allows people to request a supply of the contraceptive pill for the first time directly from their pharmacy, rather than from their GP or sexual health clinic
• supply of oral emergency contraception

A person may self-refer or be signposted by their general practice, sexual health clinic or equivalent, to a participating pharmacy.  A pharmacy may also identify a person is suitable for the service and highlight it to them.

To find a pharmacy delivering the contraception service, use the pharmacy search function on the NHS.uk website; or for emergency contraception, use the find emergency contraception search function on the NHS.uk website.

Urgent Community Response (UCR)

For patients requiring urgent, admission avoidance support and intervention, there is the 2-hour Urgent Community Response service (details below).  The team will triage referrals and if clinically appropriate, undertake a home visit within 2 hours.  This can be accessed via SPA for health care professionals or NHS 111 for self-referrals.