Your local Minor Injury Unit (MIU) is here for you this bank holiday
Minor Injury Units (MIUs) in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Malvern and Tenbury are open this bank holiday to provide urgent care for anyone with a minor injury.
Staffed by Emergency Nurse Practitioners, the units offer advice and treatment for a variety of injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns.
They are open daily, including bank holidays to treat minor injuries which do not require emergency treatment from an A&E department.
A&E, also known as emergency department should be used to treat major, life-threatening illnesses and injuries only.
Phil Shakeshaft, Matron for Minor Injury Units run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is urging the public to think about where they go for treatment this weekend, “It is much more appropriate to use a minor injury unit than attend A&E if you have a minor injury this bank holiday.”
“Our highly skilled staff can provide timely advice and treatment for a variety of different minor injuries requiring urgent care, and can be easily accessed by contacting NHS111”.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, who run four of the counties MIUs treated over 16,000 patients with minor injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They introduced a new system to help patients access the most suitable treatment for their injury.
The new process encourages patients to contact NHS111 prior to attending a hospital or unit for treatment.
Trained advisors are on hand to discuss the injury with the patient in order to identify the most appropriate course of treatment.
This might include an appointment at a minor injury unit or x-ray department, or a more suitable alternative such as a local pharmacy, GP, self-care or A&E.
The new system has helped to reduce waiting times for patients, by enabling them to attend for a booked appointment rather than waiting to be seen as a walk-in.
NHS111 can be accessed 24 hours a day, online or by calling 111 from a landline or mobile.
Patients with a minor injury can also attend Kidderminster Minor Injury Unit as a walk-in patient. The unit is open daily between 8:00am-10:00pm and is managed by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Find out more about the services provided at your local Minor Injury Unit.