minor injury unit

A type of healthcare centre which is managed by a nurse and doesn’t require an appointment. MIUs were created in the 1990s as part of the UK Government’s drive to switch patient care away from hospital A&E departments, often as a transitional step towards closing a full-scale A&E. Because nearly 60% of A&E attenders warrant hospital treatment (40% of A&E visits are “majors” and nearly 20% are for fractures), only 40% of attenders would be appropriately managed in a minor injury unit. Such units are less popular with many patients, relatively expensive to run, and deliver questionable value for money.

Minor injuries units 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

Minor injuries units can treat
• Sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Wound infections
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor head injuries
• Insect bites
• Animal bites
• Minor eye injuries
• Injuries to the back, shoulder and chest

Mentioned in ?

unplanned care

References in periodicals archive ?

The partnership is committed to the hospital and any change will only be to the minor injury unit."

Concern over hospital changes

THE minor injury unit (MIU) at a Swansea hospital has closed until early spring.

Revamp shuts hospital's minor injuries unit

The minor injury unit (MIU) at Swansea'sSingleton Hospitalwill close from Monday until early spring due to a major refurbishment to an adjacent unit.

Singleton Hospital's minor injury unit to temporarily close; The minor injury unit in Swansea will close due to a major refurbishment

The minor injury unit at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach will have much shorter waiting times for the treatment of minor injuries or illnesses.

Hospitals' plea: 'Avoid A&E this weekend'

It means those who need a minor injury unit will face a 40-mile round trip to Dolgellau.

Lack of staff shuts minor injuries unit

The whole point of a minor injury unit is to provide a service out of hours when doctors are closed."

DOCTOR WON'T SEE YOU NOW; CRISIS IN THE NHS HEALTH BOARDS TAKE OVER 42 SURGERIES Emergency action is taken to protect patients as shortage of GPs continues to grow

"This investment shows the health board's commitment to the minor injury unit and Barry Hospital and we would encourage everyone to make use of it."

Unit reopens after PS240k X-ray installed

MEDICS are launching a campaign urging people with strains and sprains to avoid A&E and visit a minor injury unit instead.

Campaign to use minor injury unit; Quicker treatment than A&E

The Bondgate Practice in Alnwick, Northumberland, is withdrawing cover from wards and the minor injury unit at Alnwick Infirmary from April 1.

Hospital has medical cover

A politician has hit out at the handling of a review into the future of the minor injury unit at Chalmers Hospital.

Worries that injury unit decision is already made; Health: Politician and public air concerns after preferred option unveiled

The minor injury unit at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach will have much shorter waiting-times for the treatment of minor injuries or illnesses and will be open from 7am today and throughout the weekend.

Hospital A&E delays warning

And the hospital's minor injury unit has also been forced to close sporadically because of staff shortages - to the dismay of local residents.

What happened to health care in the community? Ward at new hospital used by gardening and art groups after a dementia unit closed down Minor injury unit has also been forced to close sporadically because of staffing shortages Locals' anger at 'low priority' for their services