Vale of Leven District General Hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.
By Democrat reporter
Nobody wants to be sitting about in a hospital emergency department for longer than they need to be – especially at Christmas – so the Health Board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, is launching a campaign to highlight the benefits of visiting one of its Minor Injuries Units instead.
The Health Board is in the fortunate position of having dedicated, nurse-led Minor Injury Units at Stobhill, the New Victoria and Vale of Leven Hospitals, where 100% of patients are usually seen and treated within four hours.
MIUs can treat cuts and grazes, insect bites, minor burns, sprains and strains, limb injuries like a broken ankle, broken wrist etc and foreign bodies in ears or up noses.
However, they can’t treat more serious conditions such as major injuries, poisoning, fever, breathing difficulties stomach pains, vomiting or diarrhoea, rashes or allergic reactions.
Scott Davidson, Acute Medical Director, said: “We are all aware of what a precious resource our NHS is and we need to use it wisely, and that is particularly important in winter.
“This is the beginning of winter and patients should really consider carefully the best place to attend if they are unwell. Those with serious or life-threatening illness and injuries will always be given priority. Attending our MIUs for a minor condition allows our emergency departments to treat those patients with more serious conditions.”
By visiting an MIU, you will be treated and discharged much quicker and here’s the proof:
- Neck strain/sprains – you can save around 1 hour and 13 minutes
- Cut finger – you can save around 35 minutes
- Knee strain/sprains – you can save around 42 minutes
- Broken wrist – you can save around 48 minutes
- Knee strain/sprains – you can save around 42 minutes
There are four adult Emergency Departments within Greater Glasgow and Clyde – at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow Royal Infirmary(GRI), Royal Alexandra Hospital RAH) in Paisley and Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) in Greenock.
There is none however at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, and the Out of Hours GP service is hardly ever open..
All adult ED departments also have facilities to treat minor injuries but patients will always be seen quicker at the stand-alone MIUs.
In the MIU, the Board promise you will be seen by a team of highly experienced staff, led by Emergency Nurse Practitioners, giving you quick access to health information, advice and treatment. Treatment includes being able to arrange x-rays if required, apply plasters or splints and stitch and dress wounds.