Urgent Care and Nearest A&E in North Yorkshire: Hospitals and Walk-In Units

When to use which service

Dial 999 for a life-threatening emergency. The NHS A&E page says A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, that A&E departments are open 24 hours a day every day, and that you should not drive yourself there but ask someone to drive you or call 999. If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or use 111 online.

For problems that are urgent but not life-threatening, the NHS urgent treatment centre page says urgent treatment centres (UTCs) can help with sprains and strains, suspected broken bones, cuts and bruises, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, skin infections and rashes, high temperatures and some other problems, often with tests such as X-rays. You do not need to be registered with a GP. You may be able to book an arrival time through 111 online, and patients who are most unwell or who have an appointment may be seen first.

Not every town has an A&E. North Yorkshire is a large, rural county, so for some towns the nearest A&E is in a neighbouring town or a neighbouring council area. This guide is organised by town.

Harrogate

Harrogate District Hospital, Lancaster Park Road, HG2 7SX, has an Emergency Department that the hospital trust says "deals with major, life-threatening illnesses and injuries", provides a 24-hour service and is open every day.

Scarborough and Whitby

The A&E at Scarborough Hospital, Woodlands Drive, YO12 6QL, is listed on nhs.uk as open 24 hours every day, for all ages, and for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. For Whitby, the Humber trust's Whitby urgent treatment centre notice, dated April 2023, says Whitby UTC is open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week including bank holidays, that X-ray is limited to certain hours, and that patients are encouraged to call 111 or use 111 online first. Because that notice is several years old, check the Humber trust or 111 for the current arrangements before you travel. To find the nearest A&E for Whitby, ask 111 which department to attend.

Skipton

Airedale Hospital, Skipton Road, Steeton, is the Airedale trust's site, and the trust's Emergency Department page says the department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Use the trust's website or 111 for directions.

Ripon

Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane, HG4 2PR, hosts a Minor Injuries Unit run by the Harrogate trust. Its page says the unit is open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, treats injuries such as sprains, broken bones, cuts, minor burns and minor head injuries, and minor illnesses such as coughs, sore throat and earache, and describes the unit as an alternative to Harrogate's Emergency Department. It is not an A&E.

Northallerton

The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, DL6 1JG, is run by South Tees Hospitals. The trust's page says it has a 24-hour urgent treatment centre for minor illnesses and injuries, a clinical decisions unit and same day emergency care (ambulatory care). The trust's page does not describe a 24-hour A&E, so for life-threatening emergencies call 999 and let the ambulance service take you to the right hospital.

Selby and Malton

The York and Scarborough trust's list of hospitals includes The New Selby War Memorial Hospital, Doncaster Road, Selby, YO8 9BX, and Malton Community Hospital, Middlecave Road, Malton, YO17 7NG. The trust's minor injuries page describes Selby as having a nurse-led minor injuries service, last consultation at 7.30pm, and Malton as having an urgent treatment centre open 8am to 8pm daily, last consultation 7.30pm, accessed by calling 111 for a same-day appointment. Neither is an A&E.

York Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, has an A&E listed on nhs.uk as open 24 hours, for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. It sits in the City of York, which has its own council, but it is operated by the same trust that runs the Selby and Malton units. Whether York is the nearest A&E depends on where you are; 111 or the ambulance service will direct you.

What to do

For a minor injury or illness, call 111 first; it can book you into the right unit. Opening hours and arrangements at the smaller units have changed in recent years, so always confirm before you set off.