Re-launched Minor Injury Unit proving a big success

Company news

Dec 17, 2014

The new-look Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at the Royal South Hants Hospital has seen a surge in attendance figures since it was re-launched in August, taking pressure off the city’s A&E department.

More than 10,000 people have received treatment at the unit, run by Care UK, since it opened, making it an invaluable addition to the city’s urgent care services.

Since 1 August 2014 the centre, based at the Royal South Hants Hospital, has treated between 70 and 150 people a day with a snap shot analysis showing an increase of 17 per cent from the previous year. Injuries have ranged from minor burns, scalds and sprains to injuries to the back, chest, eye, head and shoulder as well as fractures.

The numbers being treated have been rising steadily since the summer – from 2,955 patients in August to 3,600 in October, and feedback from patients shows they are happy with:

• The levels of care provided – 84  per cent felt the service was excellent
• The short waiting times – 90 per cent of patients seen in under an hour (taken from September to November figures)

Paul Fisher, unit manager at Care UK, said: “I’m delighted that the service has made such a tangible difference and that so many people are attending the unit instead of going to the A&E department with a minor injury. By removing the traditional triage system and having experienced nurses taking details and treating very minor injuries at the reception stage, the unit can prevent people having to wait potentially several hours for a 10-minute treatment.

“We want to give local people high quality, fast and appropriate care and we have a fantastic team here to do just that.”

Dr Steve Townsend, clinical chair at Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The unit is working really well and we are delighted to see an increase in patient numbers which supports the work of other local urgent care services. Many injuries do not need a visit to the A&E department and the unit shows exactly how fast and effective treatment at a Minor Injuries Unit can be. Reducing the number of patients attending the A&E department also enables the service to concentrate on treating patients that are very ill.

“We would encourage anyone with a minor injury to consider using the service rather than attending the A&E department, especially as we enter the busy winter period when the pressure on urgent care services increases.”

Southampton MIU is open from 7.30am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays, with the last patient accepted at 9.30pm.

Care UK runs a number of similar services across England, including minor injuries and illnesses units (MIIUs) in High Wycombe and Portsmouth, as well as urgent care centres (UCCs) in Brent, Ealing and Birmingham.

For more information, visit royalsouthhantsmiu.nhs.uk