Health authority responds to question about nearest minor injuries units

* Oswestry Minor Injuries Unit at the town's health centre, Picture: Whitchurch Herald.

A health authority has responded to a question about the minor injuries units which  Llangollen people can use.

These units (MIUs) are staffed by experienced emergency practitioners who are supported by health care assistants but not doctors.

The query about Oswestry MIU, which is located at the town’s health centre, arose when a local social media user revealed that they had received excellent treatment there for an ankle injury sustained over the bank holiday weekend.

Their Facebook post described how they were first advised by the health information service 111 to attend hospital accident and emergency.

But not wanting to face a long wait for an x-ray the person contacted their GP a few days after the injury and was told they could visit the Oswestry MIU, which they did and received “excellent” treatment there.

But they then questioned why 111 didn’t advise them about the Oswestry service.

Llanblogger raised the issue with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) where a spokesperson said: “We publicise our Minor Injuries Units on our website here: Minor Injury Units - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)

“We’ve also make regular posts on social media directing people to their local MIU.

“The nearest MIUs to Llangollen are Mold, Holywell or Denbigh.”

Llanblogger checked out the suggested link and found that, actually, Oswestry is listed as the nearest MIU for the central Llangollen postcode area at just under nine miles distant. Then comes Mold (13.9 miles), Denbigh (18.1 miles) and Holywell (20.8 miles).

* From the link provided by BCUHB giving closest MIU's to Llangollen.

According to the BCUHB website, patients attending one of these units will be assessed and treated as quickly as possible. If their condition cannot be dealt with at the Minor Injuries Unit, then they will be referred to their GP or nearest Emergency Department or to another appropriate service.

Injuries dealt with at MIUs include:

• Minor injuries in adults
• Minor injuries in children
• Human/ Animal Bites
• Minor burns
• Minor head injuries/ scalp laceration
• Ear/ nose foreign bodies
• Limb injuries
• Minor eye injuries
• Insect stings

The website adds: “Minor injury units cannot treat patients who have collapsed, chest pain, breathing problems, abdominal pain, alcohol related problems, drug overdose, gynaecology problems, health conditions normally seen by a GP such as minor illness, mental health problems, dental problems, neck injury, chest or back injury.

“MIU's are a walk-in service and no appointment is required and NHS 111 Wales is the first port of call of course. However, if the patient is still unsure it is better to telephone the MIU, to allow us to put the patient in the right place, at the right time first time.”

Oswestry MIU is located at the health centre in Thomas Savin Rd, SY11 1HS.

* Details for Oswestry MIU from the Shropshire Community Health Trust website.