Service detail

Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) – Doddington, Ely, and Wisbech

Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) at Doddington, Ely, and Wisbech provide assessment and treatment for patients with minor injuries or illnesses that do not require emergency care at an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. 

Please note:

MIUs are not A&E. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or any life-threatening symptoms, call 999 or go directly to your nearest A&E department.

What we offer

MIUs are led by highly-trained nurses and paramedic practitioners, supported by experienced healthcare assistants and administrative staff. They are qualified to assess, examine, diagnose, and treat a wide range of minor conditions.

• No GPs or doctors are based within these units.
• Children under two years old cannot be treated at the MIU and should be taken to your nearest A&E.

Capacity and waiting times

Due to the size of our team and the large area we serve, demand can vary. Wait times may be up to four hours. Please ensure you are able to wait within the department if booking in.

Safe streaming process

When the unit reaches capacity, we operate a safe streaming process to maintain the safety of both patients and staff. In this situation:

• You will be streamed by a practitioner.
• The practitioner will assess your needs and advise you on the next appropriate steps , which may include sign-posting to another services, overnight management or advising to come back the next day 

This process is in place to ensure the clinical safety of all patients and staff.

Patient and one visitor only

To reduce overcrowding and maintain a safe environment only patients and one visitor will be allowed into the unit. All others will be asked to wait outside. If a patient requires assistance, MIU staff will support as needed.

Walk-in service

This is a walk-in service, but some appointments may be booked through NHS 111. Patients with pre-booked appointments may be seen ahead of walk-ins. The MIUs are not able to provide telephone triage so when you call you will speak to the admin staff who will not be able to advise clinically over the phone. 

We provide services at three minor injury units which provide care and treatment for patients whose minor injuries or illness is not severe enough to go to accident and emergency. More details on other healthcare services can be found here.

Reception staff will screen all patients at the booking-in stage to ensure that you can  treated in MIU. If you do not fit the MIU service specification, you will be signposted elsewhere.

Only patients that fit the service remit will be seen in the Minor Injury Unit. 

Conditions and injuries that we can treat

Minor head injuries in adults and children aged two years and over:

• Excluding children under two years.
• Excluding loss of consciousness.
• Excluding vomiting.
• Excluding patients taking anticoagulants (these should be referred to Accident and Emergency in line with NICE guidance).

Upper and lower limb injuries in adults and children aged two years and over, including:

• Suspected fractures.
• Sprains and strain.
• Wounds.
• Burns.
• Bites and stings.

Minor burns and scalds

• Assessment available.
• Referral to a specialist burns unit when required.

Simple traumatic wounds requiring closure, including:

• Steri-strips.
• Tissue glue.
• Minor suturing.
• Excludes post-operative wounds.
• Excludes chronic or long-term wounds.

Minor eye injuries

• Excludes conjunctivitis, which should be managed through a community pharmacy.

Removal of foreign bodies

• Excluding deep or complex foreign bodies.

Minor infections suitable for MIU assessment and first-line treatment, including:

• Sore throat.
• Earache.
• Paronychia (infected nail fold).
• Excludes long-term or chronic infections.
• Excludes chronic ear, nose and throat conditions.
• Excludes patients recently treated with antibiotics for the same simple infection.

Minor abscesses

• Excluding chest abscesses.
• Excluding abscesses requiring drainage.

X-ray requests for suspected fractures in adults and children aged two years and over

• Subject to local x-ray availability.
• Injuries must be less than four weeks old.
• Back, neck, pelvis and hip x-rays are not available through MIU services.

The MIU will not assess or treat:

Major trauma, including:

• Falls from height.
• Road traffic collisions at speeds over 30mph.
• Injuries requiring resuscitation.

Chest pain suspected to be of cardiac origin.

Severe breathing difficulties.

Urine Infections – we do not see children under 16 years and females over 65, and males. 

Mental health crises, including:

• Overdoses.
• Alcohol-related problems.
• Self-harm (superficial self-harm wounds may be assessed)

Dental problems.

Eye conditions not related to trauma or injury.

Children under two years of age.

Patients with a head injury who have:

• Lost consciousness.
• Vomiting.
• Are taking anticoagulant medication.

Long-term conditions.

Acute abdominal pain requiring investigation.

Conditions requiring specialist referral.

Long-term or routine wound dressings.

Pregnancy-related concerns.

Emergency contraception requests.

ECGs, blood pressure checks, or primary care assessments before treatment can be given.

Repeat prescriptions.

Travel vaccinations.

Fit notes (sick notes).

Routine health checks, including:

• ECGs.
• Blood pressure monitoring.
• General health assessments.

Please note: The MIUs cannot provide repeat prescriptions.

For any symptoms that may be life-threatening or require urgent medical intervention, please call 999 or attend your local Accident & Emergency  department.

The MIU is a walk-in service – no appointment is necessary. Patients are generally seen in the order they arrive unless someone presents with more urgent clinical needs. In such cases, patients may be called out of turn.

Upon arrival:

• You will be booked into MIU by the admin staff – if you require a chaperone please ask. You will be advised of the patient-only guidance.
• A healthcare assistant may carry out basic observations.
• You may be triaged by a clinician to assess the urgency of your condition.
• If appropriate, you may be redirected to a more suitable service for your needs.

Please be aware:

• This is a very busy service with a small team.
• Wait times can be long, and you may be required to wait up to four hours depending on demand.
• You will be seen as soon as possible based on clinical need.
• Every assessment or treatment can vary as this is an unplanned service, so we are unable to give accurate wait times or assessment times.

X-ray services

X-ray services are provided by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and are not managed by the Minor Injury Unit (MIU).

X-ray departments open at 9am — opening times may vary by site, so please refer to the published x-ray opening hours for each location.

Patients cannot be referred for x-rays after 4:30pm . Even if you arrive before that time, you will first need to be assessed by a practitioner to determine if an x-ray is clinically required and this may not be able to be completed by this time.

Please note:

• Same-day x-rays are not guaranteed.
• If an x-ray is needed and cannot be completed on the day, you may be asked to return the next day or be advised of an alternative service.
• X-rays can only be requested by the MIU practitioner after an assessment, If you have been advised by another health professional that you require an x-ray, then a referral has to be done by that person.

Zero-tolerance policy

We operate a zero-tolerance policy toward abusive, threatening, or violent behaviour. Anyone displaying such behaviour towards staff or other patients will be asked to leave the unit and will be reported to the police.

No filming or photography

For the privacy and safety of all patients and staff, filming and photography are strictly prohibited within the unit. You will be asked to stop filming and delete the footage and please do not post any information on social media to protect the staff and other patients. Please respect this policy.