The 5 Best Urgent Care Centres in London That’ll Patch You up Real Fast
My friend used to say that having sons would exhaust me in a way that I had never been tired. I thought she was only exaggerating, but boy, was I wrong.
Because the moment my 3-year-old looked up to me, crying because he accidentally swallowed a LEGO brick, the entire household entered panic mode. Worse, the hospital we usually go to was already full.
But my husband jumped right in and handed me a list of urgent care centres in London that he had prepared in case we needed alternatives. Here are the ones we’ve considered.
How much do urgent care centres charge in London?
Urgent care centres in London typically charge between £99 and £182 for an initial consultation. Extra charges depend on the clinic size and type, treatments needed, available tests or diagnostics, and insurance coverage.
1. Cromwell Hospital
Address: Floor 3, 164-178 Cromwell Rd
Contact details: +44 (0)20 7460 5700, +44 20 7244 4886 (Self-Pay)
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Sat: 8:00am – 2:00pm
- Sun: Closed
Cromwell Hospital is a private urgent care provider offering adults rapid treatments for injuries and illnesses. It’s highly accessible with its long hours and daily acceptance of walk-in patients.
You can get blood tests, X-rays, or scans, and some of these can even be arranged on the same visit! This level of convenience makes the clinic a go-to for many locals.
What stands out is how attentive the team is. They’re very considerate with those who have anxiety and ask them for details gently.
Though they treat so many patients, we were impressed by their state-of-the-art equipment and minimal wait times. Many were serviced within minutes of arrival, and the staff tries to maintain that standard.
Just remember that they don’t accept children and those currently receiving inpatient care elsewhere without prior arrangements.
Attentive, gentle, and reassuring
“I had a great experience at the Cromwell Hospital Urgent Care Centre. From the moment I arrived, receptionist Sabrina welcomed me warmly, answered all my questions and helped me check in right away. Nurse Viada was a true Angel, attentive, gentle, and reassuring, always making sure I felt comfortable! And Dr. Farhan Zaidi provided excellent care, he listened and made sure I received the treatment I needed without delay! Everyone made me feel genuinely cared for, and I’m truly grateful for their kindness and professionalism. Highly recommend!”
-Celina Emilie Marie, Google Review
Everything was smooth and pleasant
“I attended urgent care with my father in law, who is visiting and does not speak any english. This could have been a terrible experience for him given the circunstances but it was quite the opposite. Yasmin at reception attended us with a big smile and all the patinte, She made sure everithing was as smoth and as pleasant as possible. The nurse, Rose, also made sure he was feeling at home in every moment. Dr Zaidi made sure lenguage was not a barrier during the consultation and made sure hew had all detail for his diagnostic. We came back home talking about how good the treatment had been. Thank you all.”
-Tomas R, Google Review
2. Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Urgent Care Centre
Address: Floor 0, Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond
Contact details: +44 20 7188 7188
Business hours:
- Daily: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Urgent Care Centre is open 365 days a year, making it one of the busiest emergency departments in the country.
Despite this, we’ve gathered that many patients were treated sooner than expected, even during peak hours. This kind of commitment shows exactly why the clinic has earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission.
The hospital has three emergency services for different needs. There’s one for serious conditions, another for minor injuries and illnesses, and a separate service for children (aged 1 and older) needing urgent care.
These are led by experienced clinicians. They offer thorough assessments and communicate care plans clearly, which reassures many patients.
Parents we spoke to also appreciate that the wait times for children tend to be shorter than those in other departments.
That said, they’re not without their limitations. The doctors often don’t issue repeat prescriptions here, except in rare cases when a short-term supply may be prescribed.
Very helpful
“I would like to thank Anne the nurse at Urgent Care Unit when I visited there on Wednesday this week, Anne was so very helpful with her advice and guidance. Thank you so much.”
-Queen Mon, Google Review
Kind, gentle, and knowledgeable
“Want to thank urgent care nurses and doctor (female – can’t remember name) from the bottom of heart ❤️ THANK U!!! Visiting from Australia I was in some pain and needing some extra help. I walked in was greeted warmly & kindly and taken through to doctor with 10mins. Dr was so kind, gentle and knowledgeable- I knew what was wrong with me but once I explained symptoms, she knew right away too. With some meds now taken I’m back on track to continue my 5 weeks holiday. You are all truly are life savers!!!”
-Taryn Simonds, Google Review
3. St Charles NHS Urgent Care Walk-in Centre
Address: Exmoor St
Contact details: +44 20 8102 5111
Business hours:
- Daily: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Unlike providers relying on general practitioners, St Charles’s walk-in service is led by nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedics who manage many acute minor illnesses and wounds for anyone over the age of 2.
They excel at taking a wide range of patients. They even cater to travellers from outside the UK or those not registered with a GP.
Even in stressful cases, they’re praised for their empathy. They don’t rush the patients and ensure they understand the steps they need to take. Some people in crisis were also served in as fast as half an hour, showing their focus and efficiency.
What’s nice is that they take appointments for wound dressing changes. Initial wounds are handled through walk-in services, and then you can schedule appointments for a maximum of two weeks going forward.
However, they fall short in their limited diagnostic services (except for X-rays). No on-site blood tests or advanced imaging are available here.
Quick, caring, and convenient
“This is what healthcare can and should be. Quick, caring and convenient. Had a minor issue that needed urgent attention. Too long to wait for a GP and not serious enough for A/E. Staff were quick and attentive and I was in and out very quickly.”
-Sean Flanagan, Google Review
Amazingly quick
“I damaged my foot yesterday and went to the St Charles’ Urgent Care Centre W10 early this a.m. July 7th. The speed with which I was triaged then x rayed was amazingly quick. The nurse Simita was kind, clear in the explanation of how to deal with my broken toe and had a caring manner. The overall experience was one of the best I’ve had in 66 yrs of using the NHS. I highly recommend this place.”
-Mary Chater, Google Review
4. St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
Address: Floor 0, 60 Grove End Rd
Contact details: +44 20 7806 4000 (Enquiries), +44 20 7432 8300 (Appointments), [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 7:00pm
- Sat-Sun: 8:00am – 5:00pm
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is known for its team’s personal and reassuring care. They offer a calm and organised service despite the everyday chaos.
A lot of loyalty from locals stems from the daily availability, giving them almost instant access to the doctors. They don’t just give you a quick glance-over either—they ask detailed questions and check all angles before sending you home.
They’re equipped to manage many minor issues, like fractures, sprains, burns, and infections. When needed, you can undergo tests here, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans, and get results quickly.
This is an independent private facility, which means it’s not part of the NHS. They have higher costs, though they make up for it by following private healthcare standards with typically faster access. Travellers can also use self-pay services.
Swift, friendly, and professional
“I had a very positive experience today at the Urgent care clinic. I was seen within 5mins of waiting. Dr André Van Nierop assessed my case swiftly and referred me to a relevant specialist consultant upstairs at the St. John & Elizabeth Hospital. The medical care was excellent and Elena who I met at the registration desk handled all administrative questions swiftly, friendly and professionally.”
-Veronika Kuchinskiy, Google Review
Thoroughly and promptly assessed me
“Right now I left the St.John & Elizabeth’s Urgent Care Clinic. I have been seen by a wonderful lady nurse, and then by Dr. Osaid Ather, who thoroughly, promptly medically assessed my very severe and acute condition. And advised me and gave me medication. I cannot be grateful enough to him and St.John & Elizabeth Hospital.”
-T. I, Google Review
5. One Point Healthcare
Address: 44 Greenhill Rd, Harrow HA1 1LD
Contact details: +44 20 8087 1088, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 9:30am – 7:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Sun: Closed
One Point Healthcare provides specialised care for many urgent and chronic health concerns. Many patients come here if they have respiratory conditions, ENT infections, allergies, or minor injuries to receive quick attention and avoid long queues.
This walk-in service is great for those who need same-day attention without an appointment. Many patients appreciate the fast diagnostics, but this option can be limited due to the staff’s commitment to providing immediate care for all.
On the other hand, a big part of what wins people over is their convenient home visits. They arrive at an agreed-upon time and bring all the necessary equipment for the consultation and basic diagnostic checks.
While these at-home appointments mean extra fees for locations beyond a 5-mile radius, many still book them due to the compassionate staff. They take the time to listen to everything, making the patients feel comfortable and well-informed throughout.
Kind, professional, and understanding
“Have needed their services multiple times for health problems for our visitng parents. Was always able to get urgent appointments quickly. Dr. Habib is kind, professional and takes time to speak to the patient, understand the problem and explain the diagnosis and medication. Thank you and keep up the great work!”
-Amit Guha, Google Review
Very patient, thorough, and reassuring
“I visited this urgent care centre last month for the first time for my young child. I was very impressed with the service. We were able to be seen at very short notice (same day). The centre was bright and clean. The receptionist was lovely and the doctor was very patient, thorough and reassuring. The doctor explained all information clearly. Both were excellent and very friendly towards my child. I would not hesitate to use the service again. Thank you!”
-Laura-Jane Levy, Google Review