PATIENTS in the Forth Valley are being urged by the health board to take advantage of access to faster treatment when it comes to smaller injuries.

A dedicated Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is available at Stirling Health and Care Village along with a similar service at the flagship Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Staff at the MIU can treat a vast range of injuries and face-to-face appointments can be organised via NHS24 on 111, meaning people do not have to wait to be seen when they attend.

Video and telephone consultations at home for urgent healthcare advice and to organise an appointment, if needed, are also available.

Tracey Archibald, lead nurse for advanced practice at NHS Forth Valley's emergency department, said: “Organising a video or telephone consultation via NHS 24 can avoid the need for people to travel to a local MIU; however, if they do need to be seen, they can arrange an appointment at a time which suits them to avoid a longer wait.

“It also helps reduce pressure on the Emergency Department and frees up staff to see patients with more serious injuries and illnesses.

“Patients who attend our local MIUs without an appointment will still be seen but they may wait for longer and, in some cases, could have avoided a trip if they had spoken to a local healthcare professional first.

“If you attend ED with a minor injury that does not require immediate treatment you will be assessed and given an appointment for the MIU service, this may be the next day, if appropriate.”

Minor injuries units can treat sprains and strains, broken bones with X-ray and plaster room facilities available, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, cuts and wounds – including those that may need stitches.

Staff can also deal with insect and animal bites, tetanus immunisation, removal of foreign bodies from sensitive areas, nose injuries including breaks, as well as the removal of rings, earrings and studs.

Patients can visit nhsforthvalley.com/miu for more information.