To avoid long waiting times in A&E, phone 111 first.
By doing so, Lanarkshire residents can be treated quicker and could be given priority at a minor injuries unit.
Dr Gordon McNeish, NHS Lanarkshire Associate Medical Director for Unscheduled Care, said: “Our Flow Navigation Centre provides direct access to emergency care for those who think they might need to go to A&E but do not have a life-threatening condition. People can access the service through NHS 24 by phoning 111. The individual will be given a video or telephone consultation, with a senior NHS Lanarkshire doctor or nurse, from the comfort of their own home rather than having to travel to hospital and wait to be seen.
“We understand it can be difficult to get access to healthcare, but A&E departments are often not the best place to go for help. Calling 111 to access the Flow Navigation Centre is, in most cases, the best way to access the care you need. If an in-person exam or treatment is required, people will be advised to go to A&E or may be given priority access at a minor injuries unit if appropriate.”
Minor injury units (MIUs) are designed to treat non-life-threatening injuries quickly, ensuring people receive the care they need without overwhelming emergency departments.
There are currently three MIUs in Lanarkshire – at University Hospital Hairmyres, University Hospital Monklands and University Hospital Wishaw – which are open from 9am to 9pm every day.
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, bruises, 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. If you are unsure about attending, then you can phone NHS24 on 111 to get advice.”
Individuals with injuries 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 will not stop bleeding
