Video campaign urges residents to help ease winter pressures by using WIC/UTCs

Mersey Care has launched a series of videos designed to ease the strain on services this winter and urge residents to go to their nearest walk-in centre (WIC) or urgent treatment centre (UTC) for non-emergency issues.

The five videos have been released to raise awareness on how to use these services and help ease the demand on A&E services during the winter months. The videos (see below) cover a number of different topics:

Lee McMenemy, Mersey Care’s Divisional Director for Community Care, said: “At this time of year there’s always pressure on the local health systems and by developing these videos, we will continue to play our part in helping to ease the demand on the busy A&E departments.

“We’ve recently standardised the opening hours of all our urgent care centres from 8am, to 8pm, so local residents have equal access regardless of where they live, and these videos tell you all you need to know about how they help families. There’s even a video showing hints and tips to ensure everyone enjoys Halloween without any worrying incidents.”

The WIC/UTC services provide care for most non-emergency issues, including minor injuries and illnesses, rashes and allergic reactions, eye injuries and infections and minor burns and scalds.

Last winter (1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025) Mersey Care played an important role in helping towards easing systems pressures with their WIC/UTCs providing 131,270 face to face appointments, with 97% of patients all seen and treated within four hours.