News

The county’s NHS Trusts are encouraging residents to make use of Worcestershire’s Minor Injury Units (MIUs) over weekends.

MIUs offer advice and treatment for a variety of injuries, including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, minor eye injuries, strains and minor burns.

Recent data from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust show an increase in both MIU and Emergency Department (ED) attendances on Mondays. This suggests many people are delaying treatment unnecessarily.

“Our Minor Injury Units in Worcestershire are open on weekends and ready to help,” said Dan Marshall, Modern Matron and Minor Injury Unit Lead. “We often see people waiting until Monday to seek help for minor injuries, but there’s no need to delay care.”

Hayley Flavell, Chief Nursing Officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Attendances at our Emergency Departments (ED) are at their highest on Monday mornings, but many of these patients could have been seen and treated at a Minor Injury Unit over the weekend.  Visiting an MIU means they can receive the quality care that they need earlier,  while helping to ease the pressure in our EDs so that patients requiring emergency care can be seen quicker.”

The Trusts are reminding people that MIUs remain open throughout weekends, with the aim of increasing awareness of the 7 day-service they provide.

By accessing MIUs at the weekend, patients can get the support they need at the right time and help ease pressure on stretched emergency services.

Patients requiring treatment for minor injuries can either walk into any of Worcestershire’s MIUs or contact NHS111 who will assess their symptoms and direct them to the most suitable healthcare service for their needs. If required, they will book an appointment for you to attend an MIU for treatment.

For details on your nearest MIU, including opening times and services, visit: www.hacw.nhs.uk/MIU