Bromsgrove Minor Injury Unit pilot extended over winter
A pilot improving access to advice, treatment and x-ray services for people with minor injuries has been extended until the end of March 2023.
Patients attending Bromsgrove’s minor injury unit at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, will benefit from increased weekend opening hours and 7-day x-ray services.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, who run the unit, have seen a 52% increase in weekend attendances since the launch of the initial pilot in the summer.
Dawn Shaw, Matron and MIU Lead said, “The changes have enabled many patients with suspected breaks or fractures to access both x-ray and treatment onsite, without being redirected to an acute hospital.
We hope that further extension to our weekend opening times and x-ray provision will encourage more people needing treatment for a minor injury to attend their local MIU, helping to reduce pressures on our local emergency departments”
The unit is currently open 8am – 8pm daily, with x-ray services now available between 9am – 5pm 7 days a week.
The team, which includes Emergency Nurse Practitioners offer advice and treatment for a variety of injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, minor eye injuries, strains and minor burns.
Patients with minor injuries are encouraged to use the NHS111 online service (if patient is over the age of 5 years) or call NHS111 to speak to a trained adviser who, if required, will book an appointment for them to attend an MIU for treatment. Alternatively, they can walk-in to any of Worcestershire's Minor Injury Units, located in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Malvern, Tenbury and Kidderminster.
For locations and opening times visit www.hacw.nhs.uk/MIU.