RESIDENTS are being reminded to make sure they choose the best-placed healthcare option for them this Easter bank holiday weekends.
For cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, minor eye injuries and minor burns, people can attend their local Minor Injuries Units (MIUs).
Unfortunately, the units cannot treat illnesses.
People needing treatment are advised to contact NHS111 either via the website – 111.nhs.uk – or by calling 111.
Trained advisers will assess symptoms and then recommend the most suitable course of action which could include a visit to an MIU.
Alternatively, people can walk into their local MIU which are open during usual opening hours over bank holiday weekends.
The MIU at Evesham Community Hospital is open from 9am to 9pm everyday, including bank holidays.
Other Worcestershire MIUs include Bromsgrove’s Princess of Wales, Kidderminster, Tenbury Wells and Malvern community hopsitals.
Patients often get seen quicker at MIUs than they would at A&E.
Accident and Emergency departments – like those at the Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Royal – should only be used in absolute emergencies.
Pharmacy times
Local pharmacists can also give expert confidential advice, as well as medicines for a range of minor ailments.
No appointment is necessary, people should just check which branches are open before travelling.
On Good Friday (April 18), Boots at Evesham Retail Park is open from 9am to 8pm, Boots at Bridge Street, Evesham, from 9am to 5pm and Morrisons, The Link, Four Pools Estate, opens from 9am to 5pm.
In Redditch, Boots in the Kingfisher Centre is open from 9am to 6pm and Tesco Extra, Coldfield Drive, from 10am to 4pm.
On Easter Sunday (April 20), Stewart Paharmacy, The Chapel, Waterside, opens from 10am to 1pm.
And on Easter Monday (April 21), Boots at Evesham Retail Park will open from 9am to 6pm, and Stewart Paharmacy, The Chapel, Waterside, opens from 10am to 1pm.
