WIDNES' urgent care centre treated around 125 patients a day last year, helping to ease pressures on busy hospitals.

Staff assessed and treated 45,528 patients at the former Widnes NHS walk-in centre on Caldwell Road.

It is part of a £6 million investment which has seen an urgent care centre also open at Halton Hospital.

A team of specially trained and experienced nurses are available seven days a week to treat a range of non-serious conditions ranging from suspected simple fractures and allergic reactions to injuries and infections.

It now also offers X-ray for fracture screening and ultrasounds for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) screening and a doctor is on site 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

Clinical services manager Sue Doyle said: “2016 has been another busy year.

“During the past few months, there has been an increase in the number of both adults and children we have treated with respiratory conditions and we have also seen an increased number of children suffering with gastroenteritis.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to provide a consistent high-quality service.”

During the festive period alone 1,481 patients were seen.

“We are proud of the volume of people we have treated and are very pleased that so many have chosen to use our service in 2016, helping to alleviate some of the pressures on our local hospitals,” added Mrs Doyle.

“We continue to urge anyone who has a minor injury or illness to consider their options before going straight to A&E.”

Widnes' urgent care centre is run by the Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Halton Clinical Commissioning Group.

The centre is open every day of the week from 7am to 10pm to treat any minor ailments and illnesses such as cuts and wounds, sore throats, suspected simple fractures, rashes and allergic reactions, bites and stings, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, coughs and colds, sprains and strains, earache, eye injuries and infections.

To contact Widnes' urgent care centre call 0151 495 5000 (option 2).

For more information visit bridgewater.nhs.uk/halton/nhs-widnes-urgent-care-centre-halton.