Patients across the South East will benefit from a significant expansion of urgent and emergency care services in 2026, as NHS organisations across the region open new Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) and increase Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) capacity.  

These developments form part of a national programme and investment to strengthen urgent care, improve patient flow and ensure people are treated in the most appropriate setting first time.  

In the South East, this includes a number of schemes that will increase capacity, reduce waiting times and help patients access rapid assessment and treatment without needing to be admitted to hospital, with many due to be completed this year and open to patients. 

Dr Christopher Tibbs, Medical Director for the NHS in the South East, said: “Across the South East, NHS teams are working hard to expand urgent and emergency care capacity so patients can be assessed and treated more quickly. These new and expanded UTCs and SDEC units will make a real difference for local communities, helping people get the right care in the right place while easing pressure on busy emergency departments. This investment is a major step forward in strengthening urgent care services across our region.” 

Recently opened is the expanded Medical SDEC at Frimley Park Hospital, offering rapid assessment, diagnostics and treatment in a modernised 181sqm unit with new consultant rooms and improved consulting areas to support privacy and efficient patient flow. 

A new UTC at Southampton General Hospital is expected to complete later in 2026, increasing capacity and seeing patients from the emergency department who have minor illnesses or injuries. 

Royal Hampshire County Hospital is aiming to open its new UTC ahead of Winter 2026, offering streamed minor injury and minor illness services for both adults and children, alongside booked NHS 111 appointments.  

Meanwhile work to improve the Same Day Emergency Care units, which will help reduce waiting times and corridor care at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and the QEQM Hospital in Margate, is entering its final phase.  

Creating a dedicated Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) and SDEC at the William Harvey Hospital will increase capacity and flow from the Emergency Department and support the establishment of a Clinical Decision Unit and observation bay to improve how quickly the trust can provide care.  

The funding also covers a dedicated ‘Safe Haven’ area, operating 24 hours a day to offer mental health support for acute patients and help them to get appropriate treatment. Creation of a “Same Day Care Village” at the QEQM Hospital will increase capacity within the emergency department.