Urgent Care in Thurrock: Orsett Minor Injuries Unit, Nearest A&E and NHS 111

If you live in Thurrock, urgent care is split across a few sites. This guide shows which place suits which problem, using the NHS and NHS trust pages. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 and do not drive yourself.

Where is the minor injuries unit?

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is at Orsett Hospital, Rowley Road, Orsett, Grays, RM16 3EU, phone 0300 300 1527. NELFT, the NHS trust that runs it, says on its MIU page that it is open 10am to 7.30pm, Monday to Sunday, closing at 6.30pm on the last Thursday of each month, and closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

It is a nurse-led service for minor injuries. NELFT lists, among others, uncomplicated fractures from shoulder to fingers and knee to toes, sprains, minor burns, foreign bodies, bites, wounds that need closing and minor head injuries without loss of consciousness. X-ray is on site for limbs: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and weekends 10am to 2pm. The page says X-ray at the MIU is not available for children under seven, and that wounds with embedded foreign bodies in under-sevens need A&E.

NELFT says it does not treat conditions such as arterial bleeding, airway burns or wounds with embedded glass or metal, and that chest pain, a head injury with unconsciousness, difficulty breathing or complicated fractures are 999 emergencies. Minor illnesses such as coughs and sore throats should go to a GP, pharmacy or 111.

Where is the nearest A&E?

Thurrock Community Hospital in Grays (Long Lane, RM16 2PX) is listed by NELFT with a child development centre and clinic units, and NELFT's Thurrock locations page does not describe an emergency department or walk-in service there. The nearest emergency department listed on the NHS pages is at Basildon University Hospital, Nethermayne, Basildon, SS16 5NL (switchboard 0300 443 0003), run by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Its hospital page says to follow the red A&E signs from the A13, A127 and A12. The NHS says A&E departments operate around the clock and treat people by priority, so the most seriously ill are seen first. Basildon Hospital is the only Basildon service we cover on this site; for everything else in Basildon see basildon.co.

Parking at Basildon Hospital, as published by the trust on its parking page: the first 30 minutes are free, then up to 2 hours is £3.10, up to 3 hours £4.00, up to 5 hours £5.00, up to 6 hours £6.00 and over 6 hours £10.00. Blue Badge holders park free once registered with the trust's online system. The trust also lists free permits for certain groups, such as parents of hospitalised children.

When should I use A&E, 111 or 999?

The NHS A&E page says A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. If you are not sure, use NHS 111. The NHS says not to drive yourself to A&E: call 999 for an ambulance or ask someone to drive you, bring your medications, and expect waits because patients are triaged.

The NHS 111 page says you can use it online at 111.nhs.uk (age 5 and over), through the NHS App or by phone, including for children under 5 by phone. It can direct you to A&E, an urgent treatment centre, an out-of-hours GP, a pharmacist or home care advice. If you are offered a nurse callback, the NHS says it makes up to three attempts and that callbacks cannot be cancelled.

Which other guides help?

See our pharmacies guide and GP guide. Buses to Orsett Hospital are covered in our bus guide.