MORE than 1,000 people attended Minor Injury Units (MIU) in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Mavern and Tenbury Wells during the last two weeks of the year.
The figures, released by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs the MIUs, show a 50 per cent increase on the same time last year.
A campaign was run prior to the festive season by the Trust urging people to go to MIUs rather than A&E if their conditions were non-life-threatening.
And the awareness messaging, backed by the Standard which helped promote it, seems to be getting through to residents.
The trust wanted to make sure people knew the types of injuries which could be treated at MIUs to ease the burden on Worcestershire’s emergency departments.
MIUs are staffed by Emergency Nurse Practitioners and can treat a range of minor injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, minor eye injuries, strains and minor burns.
Overall during 2022, there were over 37,000 attendances at the units at Bromsgrove’s Princess of Wales Community Hospital, along with Evesham, Malvern and Tenbury.
Dawn Shaw, Matron, from Countywide MIUs, 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.”
Typically those attending MIUs are seen and treated much faster than they would be at A&E.
Ilnesses cannot be treated at MIUs – those needing advice or treatment for a minor illness should visit their local pharmacy which will expert, confidential advice as well as medicines for minor ailments such as colds, tummy troubles and much more.
Anyone unsure where to go for their illness or injury can visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for advice from trained advisers who will be able to direct them to the most appropriate place for treatment, including arranging appointments with an out-of-hours GP or A&E if needed.
Visit hacw.nhs.uk/MIU for more on MIUs.
