Improvements coming to Lewes Victoria Hospital

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The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Lewes Victoria Hospital is to undergo major improvement works to upgrade it to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) as part of ongoing efforts to support the local healthcare system, and free up emergency care for those who need it most. The improvement work will start on 6 November 2019 and is expected to be completed by April 2020. All other services at Lewes Victoria Hospital will continue as normal while the MIU closes temporarily to allow the improvement works to take place.

UTCs are GP-led and open at least 12 hours a day, every day. They offer appointments that can be booked through NHS111 or you can just walk in. They are equipped with upgraded technologies, they are free from stressed hospital staff to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments people to attend A&E for such as strains and sprains, eye problems, suspected broken limbs, abdominal pain, minor head injuries or cuts that need stitches.

During the improvement works there are a range of other services available to support people who need urgent care:

• If you need medical help and you’re not sure where to go call 111 first or go online to 111.nhs.uk. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles and advice is available 24/7, 365 days of the year
• Community pharmacists can give clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses
• Evening and weekend appointments with GPs or other healthcare professionals are available from 6.30pm to 8pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. More information is available at your local practice.

In addition, while the MIU at Lewes is closed, people will be able to access the same services at Uckfield Community Hospital MIU on Framfield Road, Uckfield TN22 5AW, open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

Whilst the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Lewes is closed, patients will be able to access the same services at Uckfield Community Hospital MIU on Framfield Road, Uckfield TN22 5AW (open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week).

Uckfield MIU is just a 20 minute drive from Lewes MIU, along the A26, and there is free parking available on site. Three bus routes are also available which can be accessed from outside HM Prison on Brighton Road (a four minute walk from Lewes MIU) and stop at Uckfield Bus Station.

Brighton & Hove Buses Regency Routes 28, 29 and 29B run seven days a week at regular and frequent times throughout the day between the two sites, providing easy access for patients who live further from Uckfield.

Compass route 231 runs between Uckfield Bus Station and the hospital a handful of times a day, Monday to Friday. The latest timetable can be found on their website www.compass-travel.co.uk.

The improvement works to Lewes MIU include redesigning the layout to better help nurses care for patients, freeing up more room for patients who need care, providing additional space for support staff, improving infection control and building new, modern toilets.

Dr Elizabeth Gill, Clinical Chair for High Weald Lewes Havens CCG, said:

“We are committed to ensuring patients receive the best treatment possible in the right setting for them and we can deliver this with the new national urgent treatment centre standard. We thank local people for their understanding while the building works take place, which will hugely improve the provision of care the local community receive for many years to come.”