All our A&E's have minor injuries units, which are open 9am to 9pm each day - https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/minor%20injuries/
As the school summer holidays start, NHS Lanarkshire is encouraging residents to take extra precautions to stay safe and healthy during the warmer months.
Dr Gordon McNeish, NHS Lanarkshire Associate Medical Director for Unscheduled Care, said: “Outdoor activities are a great way to enjoy the summer holidays, but they can sometimes lead to minor injuries and ailments.
“To ensure quick and efficient care, please use the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) for non-life-threatening conditions. In most instances, people can actually be seen and treated even quicker if they call 111 first to access the care they need.”
Typical summer injuries and ailments include:
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: High temperatures can lead to dehydration and overheating. Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day and take frequent breaks in the shade.
- Insect Bites and Stings: Bees, wasps, ticks and other insects are more active in the summer. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers when possible and treat bites and stings promptly to prevent infections.
- Trampoline Injuries: Trampolines and bouncy castles are popular summer activities but can lead to sprains, fractures and head injuries. Supervise children closely, ensure only one person jumps at a time and use safety nets.
- Sports Injuries: Engaging in summer sports can result in sprains, strains, fractures and other injuries. Warm up properly, wear appropriate protective equipment and play on safe, well-maintained surfaces.
The MIU is equipped to handle these and other minor injuries quickly, so you can get back to enjoying the summer.
Conditions treated at the MIU include:
- Minor burns and scalds
- Cuts and lacerations
- Sprains and strains
- Minor fractures
- Insect bites and stings
There are three Minor Injury Units (MIUs) in Lanarkshire – located in the emergency departments at University Hospital Hairmyres, University Hospital Monklands and University Hospital Wishaw – which are open from 9am to 9pm seven days a week.
While the MIUs share the same entrance and reception as the A&E department, they have dedicated assessment areas and staffing. During opening hours, the MIU is staffed by expert clinicians who focus on providing better care and advice for people with minor injuries.
Dr McNeish explained: “Minor injuries are non-life or limb threatening conditions such as joint sprains, muscle strains, clean cuts where the bleeding is minimal, burns smaller than the palm of your hand and minor bone breaks or fractures.
“If you have suffered a minor injury, we recommend that you do not attend the emergency department after 9pm. We ask that you consider attending the minor injury unit when it is open between 9am and 9pm.
“However, if you are concerned that your injury is significant, then the emergency department is always available and can triage your injury, offer advice and provide treatment.”
Individuals in any of the following categories should attend the emergency department at any time to see the triage nurse:
- Children aged under 12
- Adults aged over 75
- People with dementia
- Individuals who sustained head injuries with either lost consciousness, vomiting or are on blood thinning medications
- Individuals who sustained neck or spine injuries and either have limb weakness or difficulty walking
- Limb injuries with obvious deformity
- Wounds that are very deep or will not stop bleeding