GP PRACTICES in South Gloucestershire are taking part in a service to take the pressure off hospitals this summer.
The minor injuries service from the South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group aims to save residents having to spend hours waiting in hospital should they suffer a minor cut, bite or burn.
Rather than going to a minor injuries or emergency unit, patients can get an appointment during normal surgery hours at their registered surgery if they have an injury which can be seen by the practice nurse.
The service is currently on a two-year trial period having started in April, having been provided in addition to the care available at local emergency departments and minor injury units, not as a replacement.
The CCG’s clinical lead for urgent care, Dr Ann Sephton, said: “We want to take the pressure off our doctors and nurses caring for the most seriously ill and injured by providing another minor injuries service at a place, and with people, its patients are familiar with.
“No one wants to waste a summer afternoon spending hours going to one of our urgent care centres with a slight injury and waiting when the alternative is to call to your GP surgery and make an appointment to be seen soon after.”
If a minor injury requires treatment outside surgery opening hours then it should be taken to one of the minor injury units at Southmead or Yate.
A list of what the minor injuries service can and cannot treat are below.
If residents are in any doubt, the NHS 111 telephone service and NHS Choices website are able to provide advice about where best to access treatment and how to self-treat.
What the MIS can treat
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts, grazes and nose bleeds
• Minor fractures
• Minor head injuries
• Wound infections
• Minor burns
• Bites – insect, animal and human
• Minor eye injuries, such as scratches
• Injuries to the back, shoulder and chest
What the MIS can’t treat
• Severe breathlessness
• Severe abdominal or chest pain
• Stroke
• Concussion and other severe head trauma
• Non-weight bearing injury (ie needing crutches)
• Severe haemorrhage and lacerations
• Grazes needing gas and air for debridement
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