A significant number of people still go Queen Alexandra’s busy accident and emergency department with minor health problems when there is another service available which is more convenient and suitable for their health needs.

If your injury is not serious you can get help from Gosport’s minor injuries unit (MIU), rather than going to a busy emergency department. This will allow A&E staff to concentrate on people with serious, life-threatening conditions and will save you a potentially long wait.

The minor injury unit is based at Gosport War Memorial Hospital in Gosport and is staffed by experienced A&E nurses who have undertaken additional training in the management of minor injuries.

Minor injuries units can treat:

• Cuts and gashes
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor eye injuries
• Sprains, strains and fractures
• Wound infections
• Broken bones
• Insect and animal bites
• Minor head injuries

 Minor injuries units cannot treat:

• Breathing difficulties
• Chest pain
• Collapse
• Abdominal or tummy pain
• Earache
• Rashes
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dental problems
• Major injuries
• Gynecological problems
• Pregnancy problems
• Conditions likely to require hospital admission.

Anne Welling, Consultant Nurse in Emergency Care, says: ‘The MIU sees about 1500 patients a month and on average waiting times are less than one hour.  No patient has waited longer than four hours from time of their arrival to discharge in the past 18 months.

‘The Choose Well campaign is designed to help people choose the best place to get treatment if they fall ill, freeing up emergency services to help those most in neeThe unit is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week, with parking facilities and a drinks vending machine in the waiting area.