'Use Minor Injury Units' this August bank holiday, say health bosses - plus your local pharmacy opening times

RESIDENTS are being urged to ensure they get the right care over the bank holiday weekend.

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust – which runs the Minor Injury Units (MIUs) in Bromsgrove, Evesham and Malvern – are urging people to use the MIUs.

This will help ease pressure on the county’s emergency departments.

Minor Injury Units

Dawn Shaw, Matron for Countywide Minor Injury Units said, “Whether you’ve tripped in the garden, pulled a muscle playing sport, or burnt yourself on a barbecue, our experienced team are on hand to provide advice and treatment this bank holiday weekend.

“Staffed by emergency nurse practitioners, we offer expert advice and treatment for a variety of minor injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, strains, and minor burns.

“Waits at a minor injury unit are often shorter than emergency departments, helping you get back to enjoying your bank holiday quicker”.

Fern, a patient at Bromsgrove Minor Injury Unit said, “When I splashed varnish into my eye, I started to panic but the team at Bromsgrove Minor Injury Unit saw me quickly and helped to reassure me and keep me calm.

“The nurse that treated me was really thorough and understood my worries. Thankfully, I was in and out in just over an hour and had no lasting effects from the injury.”

Those needing treatment for a minor injury are encouraged to use the NHS111 online service – https://111.nhs.uk/ – (if patient is over the age of five years) or call NHS 111 to speak to a trained adviser who, if required, will book an appointment for them to attend an MIU for treatment.

Alternatively, people can walk-in to any of Worcestershire’s Minor Injury Units without the need for an appointment.

The locations and opening times for local units can be found on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website.

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.