When faced with an illness or injury, knowing where to seek care can make all the difference.

We spoke with George Stephens, an advanced clinical practice lead at Lister Hospital, about the differences between an urgent treatment centre and the Emergency Department, and when you should visit them.

Our East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust is committed to providing the best possible care, and we are pleased to announce that, in addition to opening to adults earlier this year, our Lister Urgent Treatment Centre (sometimes called the UTC) is now open to children aged one year and above.

This means that families have more options than ever when their child needs prompt, but non-emergency care – but please bring your child to our Emergency Department first.

The UTC is designed to care for non-life or limb-threatening conditions, such as minor burns, fractures, cuts, sprains, and infections.

If your child has one of these conditions, the UTC is an excellent alternative to the Emergency Department, and you may be seen sooner.

The UTC offers shorter wait times, skilled healthcare professionals, and a focus on minor injuries and illnesses, ensuring those that need emergency care are prioritised in our emergency department.

As the children’s UTC is a new service, we are growing it slowly and safely.

All parents of children who require medical attention are asked to attend our Children’s Emergency Department first, where our friendly nurses will assess the care required and, if eligible, direct you to the UTC.

Please be aware, any parents arriving at the UTC with poorly children – who have not been to the emergency department first – will be sent there to have the initial assessment.

So when should you choose our UTC over the emergency department? Here is a simple guide: Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC): For conditions like sprains, minor fractures, ear infections, sore throats, cuts that need stitches, and minor burns.

The UTC is staffed by doctors and nurses who specialise in urgent but non-emergency care. It is a quicker, more convenient choice.

Emergency Department: For life-threatening and severe conditions, such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, significant head injuries, or major accidents.

If you’re unsure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and visit our emergency department first, where your child will be assessed and directed to the appropriate care.

By choosing the right care at the right time, you can ensure your child receives the best treatment, whilst also helping your local hospital to reduce unnecessary strain on emergency services and prioritise patients who need us most.

Remember to call NHS 111 if you are still unsure whether your child’s illness or injury requires medical attention.