Had an accident? Get help closer to home at minor injuries units
17/12/2019
This article is more than four years old.
When you or a loved one have had an accident or injury, the first thought might be to head off to an A&E department.
You might not give a thought to Oxfordshire's highly skilled emergency practitioners at Oxford Health's community hospitals.
It's time to think again. Their staff treat thousands of people every month in minor injuries units (MIU) or first aid units (FAU) across the county. In fact, in 2019 their teams have cared for 40,800 patients - tending to their wounds and patching them up.
MIUs operate at three of the county's community hospitals - at Abingdon, Witney and Henley. They have X-ray facilities and a range of specialists who can treat people for a range of injuries - from broken bones, severe sprains, deep cuts, eye injuries, minor head injuries and minor burns and scalds.
FAUs are at Bicester, Wallingford and Chipping Norton hospitals and offer the same multi-skilled teams without X-ray facilities.
Pete McGrane, Oxford Health Clinical Director for Community Services, said: "Minor injuries units can help local people with a wide range of minor injuries, reducing the pressures on A&E and increasing your chances of being seen more quickly. Come in and see them, they're here to help.
"A&Es are for emergencies; for those serious, potentially life-threatening cases; MIUs are often a much better option for sprained ankles, wounds, bites, eye injuries etc.
"When someone gets hurt they want to get medical help as soon as possible. MIU teams have all the training, skills and experience to help in most cases. They have the expertise to deal with complex needs and have X-ray too, so they can see if you've broken something or it's a sprain."
All Oxford Health's MIUs operate an appointment system via the NHS 111 service. Callers are questioned about their injury over the phone and given an appointment at their nearest unit.
Appointments give people a much more accurate idea of an anticipated assessment time.
Walk in patients are seen, but those who have an appointment will be seen first unless there is a clinical need to tackle a more urgent case.
Feedback from patients is consistently high. Oxford Health uses the independent I Want Great Care website to monitor how our patients rate the way in which we look after them.
With a maximum potential score of 5, our units universally score near top marks with Abingdon at 4.9, Witney at 4.78 and Henley a near perfect 4.96 - all demonstrating a good service.
Find your nearest unit in the list below - remember to call NHS 111 for an appointment.
Minor Injuries Units with X-ray facilities
Abingdon Community Hospital
Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1AG
Tel: 01865 903476
Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm
Townlands Hospital
York Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2EB
Tel: 01865 903755
Seven days a week 9.00am to 8.00pm
X-ray closed Bank Holidays and weekends
Witney Community Hospital
Welch Way, Witney OX28 6JJ
Tel: 01865 903841
Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm
First Aid Units
Bicester Community Hospital
Piggy Lane (access via Coker Close), Bicester OX26 6HT
Tel: 01865 903976
Monday to Friday 6.00pm to 11.00pm and 8.30am to 11.00pm at weekends and Bank Holidays
Walk-in service; no referral or appointment required
Chipping Norton War Memorial Community Hospital
Russell Way, off London Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5FA
Tel: 01865 903333 (main reception, 8.30am to 5.00pm)
Operated by South Central Ambulance Service
Open weekday evenings 5.00pm to 9.00pm and 10.00am to 9.00pm weekends and Bank Holidays
Drop-in service; no appointment required
Wallingford Community Hospital
Reading Road, Wallingford OX10 9DU
Tel: 01865 903471 (call first)
Directions to Wallingford Community Hospital
Open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 8.30am to 6.30pm
Top tips
If you have a minor injury (suspected break, sprain, wound, cut or eye injury), call 111, give the call handler all the details they ask for and get an appointment at your nearest MIU or FAU - or go online at 111.nhs.uk
Painkillers
If you are in pain due to an injury please take painkillers, like paracetamol, before you come in for assessment. It makes the assessment easier for everyone concerned. It won't mask your injury and it can help with your treatment as we will be able to move you more.
First aid
The NHS website has some useful tips and ideas on how to deal with sprains or strains that can include pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness around a joint or muscle. Recommendations include PRICE: protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.