BROMSGROVE residents are being advised to take advantage of a minor injury unit in the town and its short waiting times.

Patients with a wide range of minor injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns are being treated at the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Bromsgrove's Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Stourbridge Road.

The MIU is run by Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, and the current average waiting time is only 11 minutes. It is likely the total time spent in a visit - including travel - will be less than that spent at A&E.

Dawn Shaw, MIU lead at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, said: “Our MIU is just quick and easy, and we are a very friendly team.

"Patients particularly appreciate the fact that they are seen and treated by one person. We are also very good with children, who make up half of our patients, and have a dedicated waiting area for them.

“Our service is regularly audited to ensure we are providing a good standard of service. Our most recent patient experience audit showed that 89 per cent of patients attending our MIU would highly recommend attendance here.”

The trust is encouraging more people to use the service as it would free up capacity at A&E departments, so staff there can support those people who do need emergency care.

MIUs do not treat medical conditions such as colds, coughs, urine, chest and ear infections. Anyone who has these conditions is asked to contact a local pharmacy, their GP or ring 111.

Anyone unsure whether an injury can be treat at the MIU is asked to call in advance on 01527 488058, where a member of staff will be able to advise.

The busiest times are between noon and 3pm at weekends, so patients who can are advised to wait until after 3pm for shorter waiting times.

The MIU is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and noon to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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