Worcestershire's Minor Injury Units experience busiest festive period in recent years
The number of patients attending minor injury units across Worcestershire rose during the festive period.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which runs MIUs in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Malvern and Tenbury MIUs saw over 1,100 patients at their MIUs during the final two weeks of the year, a rise of 50% compared to last year. Kidderminster Minor Injury Unit, run by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, also experienced an increase in attendances during this time.
This follows a campaign run by the Trust and partners to improve public awareness of the units and the types of injuries they can treat, in a bid to divert inappropriate attendances away from local emergency departments.
Overall during 2022, there were over 37,000 attendances at the Units in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Malvern and Tenbury
Dawn Shaw, Matron for Countywide MIUs at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said, “With local emergency departments experiencing unprecedented demand, it’s more important than ever that people know where to go when they need medical advice or treatment.
“Patients can walk-in to any of Worcestershire’s minor injury units for advice and treatment for a minor injury, this includes sporting injuries, minor burns, slips, trips, strains, sprains and minor cuts.
“If you’re unsure where best to go, the NHS 111 online website offers advice and signposting to local services based on your symptoms and the type of injury sustained - helping you to get the right help, in the right place”
Manned by Emergency Nurse Practitioners, minor injury units can treat a range of minor injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, minor eye injuries, strains and minor burns.
Typically those attending minor injury units are seen and treated much faster than if they attended an emergency department.
Unfortunately minor injury units are unable to treat illnesses. Those needing advice or treatment for a minor illness should visit their local pharmacy who offer expert, confidential advice as well as medicines for minor ailments such as colds, tummy troubles and much more.
For urgent, but not life-threatening illnesses contact NHS111 online. Trained advisers can direct people to the best possible care for their needs, including arranging an out-of-hours GP appointment or an appointment to attend an emergency department if needed.
For more information on local minor injury units, visit the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website.