Taking care of yourself
There are a number of walk-in centres and minor injury/illness centres in Wirral:
- Arrowe Park
- Victoria Central, Wallasey
- Birkenhead Medical Building
- Eastham Clinic
Walk-in services at Victoria Central and Eastham Clinic are open. You can walk-in or book an appointment by calling NHS 111.
To access the Urgent Treatment Centre at Arrowe Park please call NHS 111 for a pre-bookable appointment. The Team will assess your needs and direct you to the most appropriate service to receive care. You can also visit 111.nhs.uk
The Minor Injuries and Illness Service at Miriam Medical Centre is open for walk-ins.
When attending a walk-in clinic please remember to:
- wear a face covering when entering any of our clinic buildings
- gel your hands upon on arrival in the clinic waiting room
- sit on designated seats only - due to social distancing our waiting areas have limited capacity.
- come on your own* (exceptions apply)
Do not attend if you have a high temperature, new/continuous cough or loss/change to your sense of smell or taste.
* Please note, only one adult to accompany a child. Carers of vulnerable adults or children may also attend.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
The following telephone number is no longer in use: 0151 201 4190 - please call NHS 111
Opening hours:
Walk-in and pre-bookable appointments via NHS 111
Eastham Walk-in Centre, 31 Eastham Rake, Birkenhead CH62 9AN
Monday - Sunday, 12.00 noon - 8.00pm (including all bank holidays, except Christmas Day)
Victoria Central Walk-in Centre & Minor Injuries, Mill Lane, Wallasey CH44 5UF
Monday – Sunday, 8.00am - 8:00pm (including bank holidays)
(X-ray facilities - open at 8.00am - 7.30pm)
Walk-in and pre-bookable appointments via 0151 652 6077
Minor Injury & Illness Service, Miriam Medical Centre, Birkenhead Medical Building, Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 8DB.
Pre-bookable appointments only via NHS 111
Arrowe Park Urgent Treatment Centre, Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road CH49 5PE
Monday - Sunday, 8.00am - 10:00pm (including bank holidays)
Walk-in centres are a great way of seeking professional advice from a GP or nurse with no need to pre-book an appointment. Walk-in centres tend to be open for longer hours than the typical GP practice, including after normal working hours and on weekends.
You can be treated for a range of minor illness at walk-in centres such as:
- infections and rashes
- blood pressure checks
- cuts and grazes
- emergency contraception and advice
- stomach aches
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- hay fever
- insect and animal bites
- stitches
- dressing care
- minor cuts and bruises
- minor burns and strains
Remember visiting your pharmacist or walk-in centre in the first instance can often mean preventing unnecessary trips to a hospital or GP and help you recover quicker.
How your pharmacy can help
If you want healthcare advice on how to treat your symptoms visit your local pharmacy or chemist for free, expert advice.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Minor illnesses
Pharmacies can give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- coughs
- colds
- flu
- earache
- cystitis
- skin rashes
- teething
- red eye
Help with your medicines
Pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist and their team can help you choose.
Antibiotics will not be available over the counter to treat minor conditions.
About pharmacists
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.
As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it's something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Other pharmacy services
Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:
- you may be referred to a pharmacist for advice after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
- emergency contraception
- asthma inhaler use and advice
- chlamydia screening and treatment
- stop smoking service
- blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing
- substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
- weight management service
- flu vaccination
Self care can prevent ill health and also free up resources in other areas of the NHS.
There is a range of help and advice available to support you to self-care for minor illnesses:
- Self-care advice about a wide range of minor illnesses is available from the NHS on line visit: www.nhs.uk where you will find an A-Z of conditions, with top tips on self-care and when you need to get an appointment with a healthcare professional.
- Visiting your local pharmacist is a great way to practice self-care. Pharmacists are trained professionals and are a great resource to use; they provide quick and easy advice on how to manage minor illnesses like aches/pains, coughs, cold, and many other conditions.
- Antibiotics will not help treat a cold or flu. By using antibiotics, you may be reducing their effectiveness in the future. Cold and flu symptoms should subside within a few days following plenty of rest, keeping well hydrated and taking over the counter medications as needed. When it comes to antibiotics, take your doctor's advice on whether you need them or not.
- Be prepared this winter by making sure your medicine cabinet is well stocked. There is a variety of items we can have at home to treat minor illnesses such as pain relief medications, lozenges, cold and cough syrups, antihistamines, and much more. Speak to your local pharmacist for more information or visit the NHS website for what to keep in your medicine cabinet at home.
How to treat some of the most common illnesses
Some of the more common illnesses such as back pain, sore throat and common colds can be treated at home or with help from a pharmacist. More information can be found here How to treat a common illness
NHS 111
If you are concerned about a medical condition and need health related advice and cannot get through to your pharmacy then you can use the NHS 111 service. This is a free helpline service with trained healthcare professionals that provide quick and easy advice available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
For less urgent health needs and advice, please contact your local pharmacy or GP practice.
Other self-care tips to help you get started:
- Implement positive lifestyle choices by eating well and receiving a good nutritional diet
- Exercising on a regular basis (minimum of 20 minutes a day) to boost immunity and general wellbeing
- Getting plenty of rest
- Keeping well hydrated (6-8 glasses of water a day)
- Stay connected with family and friends to support your mental wellbeing
- Increasing your understanding on how to manage minor and long-term medical conditions.