Emergency or Minor Injury? How to Get the Right Care in Cornwall

If you’re injured or unwell, knowing where to go for medical help can save you time and frustration. While your first thought might be the Emergency Department (ED) in Truro or Plymouth, there are alternative options across Cornwall for less serious injuries and illnesses.

With nine Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and one Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) available, you could be seen faster and closer to home without the long waits often associated with ED visits.

Why Choose an MIU or UTC?

Emergency departments prioritise those with life-threatening conditions, which means waiting times for minor injuries or illnesses can be lengthy. By opting for an MIU or UTC, you’ll receive timely care from trained nurse practitioners, doctors, or paramedics.

To make an informed decision, check waiting times online through the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust before leaving home. If you’ve already arrived at the ED, look for digital screens displaying alternative locations and their waiting times—you can still choose to leave and visit an MIU or UTC.

What Is a Minor Injury Unit?

Minor Injury Units are nurse-led centres offering efficient, high-quality care for injuries or illnesses that have occurred within the last 14 days. Open every day, including evenings, these facilities have free parking and don’t require an appointment.

Conditions Treated at MIUs:

• Cuts, including glue, steristrips, or sutures for wounds
• Burns or scalds
• Bites and stings
• Sprains and simple fractures
• Head injuries without loss of consciousness
• Infected wounds from trauma (not surgery)
• Foreign bodies in the eye
• Suspected infections, such as chest, urinary, ear, or throat infections

What Is an Urgent Treatment Centre?

Located in Penzance at West Cornwall Hospital, the UTC is open from 8am to midnight daily, including weekends. No appointment is needed. It’s ideal for more serious injuries or illnesses that aren’t life-threatening.

Conditions Treated at the UTC:

• Burns and scalds
• Simple fractures in arms or legs
• Deep cuts
• Urinary infections
• Chest infections or difficulty breathing
• Dizziness

When Should You Visit the Emergency Department?

Emergency departments are open 24/7 for serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. For those in North and East Cornwall, emergency departments are also available at University Hospital Plymouth and Barnstaple.

When to Go to ED:

• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing
• Major blood loss
• Stroke

Location Distances from Truro ED

If you’re at Truro’s emergency department but think an alternative location is better suited to your needs, here’s how far some MIUs and the UTC are:

• West Cornwall Urgent Treatment Centre – Penzance: 28 miles
• Bodmin Minor Injury Unit: 28 miles
• Camborne Redruth Minor Injury Unit: 11 miles
• Falmouth Minor Injury Unit: 12 miles
• Helston Minor Injury Unit: 18 miles
• Launceston Minor Injury Unit: 47 miles
• Liskeard Minor Injury Unit: 37 miles
• Newquay Minor Injury Unit: 14 miles
• St Austell Minor Injury Unit: 15 miles
• Stratton Minor Injury Unit: 52 miles

Not Sure Where to Go?

The NHS 111 service can guide you to the best care option. Use NHS 111 online or call 111 for advice, particularly for children under five.

Think Pharmacy First

Pharmacies across Cornwall can also provide medical advice and prescriptions for minor ailments. Use the Find a Pharmacy tool to locate your nearest option.

By choosing the right service for your condition, you’ll receive care faster and help ease pressure on emergency departments, ensuring those in critical need are prioritised.