Minor injury units are much smaller than A&E departments so it's quicker to be seen. Bear in mind that the help they can offer you if you have injured yourself and are still in the middle of the crisis is limited. But if you have cuts or burns that need attention or suspect you have broken a bone they're the best place to go.
This is what is listed on the NHS site that MIUs and urgent care centres can do:
What else is available at an urgent treatment centre?
If there is not a minor injuries unit in your area, these services will also be provided by an A&E department.
Minor injuries units and urgent care centres cannot treat:
•chest pain
•breathing difficulties
•major injuries
•problems usually dealt with by a GP
•stomach pains
•gynaecological problems
•pregnancy problems
•allergic reactions
•overdoses
•alcohol related problems
•mental health problems
•conditions likely to require hospital admission"
To find your local MIU or urgent care centre look it up here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Minor-injuries-unit/LocationSearch/551
Leeds has an MIU in Middleton. The other nearest one is in Otley. Battle Scars work closely with MIU's in Leeds to support patients and staff. Some towns and cities do not seem to have them so it's worth enquiring at your local urgent care centres before you head off to A&E.
This is what is listed on the NHS site that MIUs and urgent care centres can do:
- Cuts and grazes
- Sprains and strains
- Simple broken bones (if your bone is sticking out or there’s a serious wound then this should be seen at A&E)
- Wound and wound infections
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor head injuries
- Insect and animal bites
- Minor eye injuries
- Minor back injuries
- Emergency contraception
- Skin infections/rashes/allergic reactions
- Urine infections
- Raised temperature/fever
What else is available at an urgent treatment centre?
- X-ray facilities are available on site every day until 8.30pm
- Urine tests (if appropriate)
- Minor illness service (for example sore throat or coughs and colds) runs from 8am-6pm, seven days a week. Prescriptions and medication are also issued through this service for some conditions.
If there is not a minor injuries unit in your area, these services will also be provided by an A&E department.
Minor injuries units and urgent care centres cannot treat:
•chest pain
•breathing difficulties
•major injuries
•problems usually dealt with by a GP
•stomach pains
•gynaecological problems
•pregnancy problems
•allergic reactions
•overdoses
•alcohol related problems
•mental health problems
•conditions likely to require hospital admission"
To find your local MIU or urgent care centre look it up here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Minor-injuries-unit/LocationSearch/551
Leeds has an MIU in Middleton. The other nearest one is in Otley. Battle Scars work closely with MIU's in Leeds to support patients and staff. Some towns and cities do not seem to have them so it's worth enquiring at your local urgent care centres before you head off to A&E.
