Minor injuries units (MIUs) provide treatment for less serious injuries, such as sprains, cuts and grazes. Many people go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) with minor injuries, when they could be usually treated much more quickly at a minor injuries unit.
In A&E staff must give priority to serious and life-threatening conditions, so if you go there with a minor injury, you may have to wait a long time to be seen.
If your injury is not serious, it's usually better for you to go to a minor injuries unit if there's one in your local area.
You do not need an appointment to visit a minor injuries unit. They are run by a team of highly qualified nurse practitioners who have experience and expertise in treating minor injuries.
Minor injuries units can treat a wide variety of problems including:
- cuts and grazes,
- sprains and strains,
- broken bones (fractures),
- bites and stings (including human bites),
- infected wounds,
- minor head injuries, and
- eye problems, such as minor eye infections, scratches or something that is stuck in your eye.
Conditions that minor injury units cannot treat include:
- chest pain,
- respiratory problems,
- abdominal pain,
- gynaecological problems,
- pregnancy problems,
- drug overdose,
- alcohol related problems,
- mental health problems, and
- health conditions that would normally be treated by your GP or hospital.
Minor injuries units are also not normally equipped to treat children under three years of age.
If you're not sure whether your injury can be treated in a minor injuries unit, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647. They will be able to advise you, and can also tell you where your nearest minor injuries unit is.
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