Corby and East Northamptonshire MP, Lee Barron, has visited Corby Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) to see first-hand how the service is helping thousands of local people get the care they need, closer to home.
The Centre, run by not-for-profit provider DHU Healthcare, has treated more than 20,000 patients since taking over the service in November 2025. Many of these patients might otherwise have attended busy A&E departments.
Offering treatment for a wide range of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, including chest infections, minor injuries and suspected fractures, it also has on-site diagnostics such as blood tests and X-ray.
During the visit, the MP heard directly about the positive impact the centre is having for local patients – with its clinical teams seeing between 250 and 400 patients each day, helping to ease pressure on the NHS, especially during busy winter months.
Mr Barron said the visit had given him a valuable insight into how the service is working for local people and staff and commented:
“It was good to see the service first-hand and to hear how the team are supporting patients. I was assured that people can still walk into the centre or be booked in through NHS 111.
DHU were open about the improvements they’re making and their commitment to involve local people and be transparent about the service. I look forward to coming back in a few months to see that progress for myself.”
Walk-ins and appointments
DHU Healthcare also responded to local constituent concerns, confirming that the centre - open from 8am to 8pm - continues to offer walk-in access and has not moved to an appointment-only model.
Talking the MP through the patient pathway, Reiss Bond, DHU’s Deputy Director of Urgent Treatment Centres, explained:
“Anyone, from anywhere, can still walk in. When patients arrive, they complete a digital e-triage assessment. This allows clinicians to quickly understand symptoms, prioritise patients safely, and manage patient flow effectively.
“Following triage, patients are given a time to see a clinician. If there is a longer wait and it is clinically appropriate, they may leave the centre and return at their allocated time rather than remain in a busy waiting room. This approach, introduced across DHU’s UTCs, improves the patient experience by providing clarity on waiting times and helping to manage expectations. The allocated time reflects the same clinical wait as before - it is simply communicated upfront so patients can use that time more flexibly, including returning home or remaining nearby.”
Patients can also contact NHS 111 for urgent medical advice. In many cases, this may result in a booked appointment with a specific arrival time, avoiding the need for initial walk-in triage. There is no extended wait for patients referred via NHS 111, and the service actively encourages people to use 111 first where appropriate.
Around 95% of patients who attend the centre are treated on site without referral to A&E. Since taking over the service, DHU’s clinical leadership team has strengthened clinical safety and expanded capability, introducing enhanced pathways to safely manage a broader range of urgent conditions within the community.
Patient feedback
In recent TV coverage, one patient, Christine Baaki, praised the team after clinicians at the UTC identified a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
“It’s a great place to get well,” she said, adding that her longest wait had been around two hours.
Supporting local urgent care
Paul Tilson, DHU Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer said:
“Corby Urgent Treatment Centre is here for people who need urgent care but do not require A&E. You can walk in or contact NHS 111 first to receive a timed appointment.
Our aim is simple - to provide the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible.
We are committed to raising awareness of the UTC service so that communities in and around Corby understand how and when to use it. We plan to host open days and establish a patient group, giving local people the opportunity to help shape future developments and improvements.
DHU Healthcare operates Urgent Treatment Centres across the Midlands, and we welcomed the opportunity to show Mr Barron the compassionate, high-quality care our teams deliver every day.”