A Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) supporting patients across Thurrock, Basildon, Brentwood, south east Essex and surrounding areas will move from Orsett Hospital to Thurrock Community Hospital from Monday 2 November 2026.
The Minor Injuries Unit, run by North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), will move to upgraded premises at Thurrock Community Hospital in Grays.
The MIU at Orsett Hospital will close permanently from 12noon on Friday 30 October. If you need minor injury support from then until the Thurrock Community Hospital MIU opens at 10am, Monday 2 November:
NHS Essex has secured nearly £1 million of national funding to support the move and improvements to the John Tallack Centre at Thurrock Community Hospital, where the MIU will be based. Being located alongside the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), will help people access faster diagnosis and treatment.
From its new location, the MIU will continue to provide the same seven-day walk-in service between 10am and 7.30pm for minor injuries such as wounds, bumps, sprains, broken bones, minor eye injuries and minor burns. It will be provided by the same staff who currently provide the MIU at Orsett Hospital.
As well as more streamlined patient care, the upgraded MIU will offer a better environment for patients and staff. A larger waiting area will provide space for patients to sit indoors after booking in, improving the overall experience.
NHS Essex is working with Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which operates the Thurrock Community Hospital site, to ensure adequate parking, access and signage for patients and staff.
NHS Essex aims build on the upgraded service by developing it into an Urgent Treatment Centre from April 2027. This would expand the service to include minor illnesses as well as minor injuries, with longer opening hours.
For more details, including getting to Thurrock Community Hospital, go to the NHS Essex website: Minor Injuries Service moving to Thurrock Community Hospital – NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
