PEOPLE are being urged to not attend the Yate Minor Injury Unit unless they have non-serious injuries after seeing “extremely high demand” over the Christmas period and more people than usual being redirected for relevant treatment.


The Minor Injury Unit (MIU) based in the Yate West Gate Centre in the shopping centre, has seen more people than usual visiting the drop-in service for minor illnesses, which they cannot treat.


The service, run by the not-for-profit social enterprise Sirona Care and Health, is urging people to only attend the unit if they have a minor injury to avoid being redirected to the 111 service.


Carrie Wedgwood, head of specialist services for Sirona Care and Health, said: “In line with most other MIUs and accident and emergency (A&E) departments we have seen extremely high demand during the last few weeks with Christmas and new year busy.


“Yate MIU is a minor injuries unit and does not treat minor illnesses. Over Christmas and new year, more people than usual have been attending with coughs and colds and have been redirected to the 111 service.


“The MIU is available to treat non-serious injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, wound infections, minor burns and scalds, insect and animal bites and minor eye injuries.
“We would echo the messages put out by our colleagues about advising people to think carefully about where they can have their symptoms addressed such as by asking your pharmacist, seeing their GP or calling 111 out of hours.


“I would also pay tribute to our fantastic staff who are working hard all year round and not just over the Christmas and New Year period to ensure that everyone needing treatment from them receives the care they need.”


The MIU, which opened on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, offers a drop-in service for children and adults to treat a range of minor injuries from cuts and sprains, to bites and broken arms.
A&Es across the region continue to be busy from the New Year period and demand has also increased on the ambulance service and Out of Hours services.


The North Bristol NHS Trust, which offers services across South Gloucestershire, has warned of “additional pressure” on its services with many people with common winter illnesses presenting themselves at A&E.


Increased pressure was blamed on a number of people who had only been ill for a few hours with flu like symptoms and who had been using emergency services “inappropriately”.
In a statement, the trust’s medical director, Dr Chris Burton, said: “As with most A&E departments across the country our Emergency Department has been under particular pressure due to high demand.


“We prepare for additional pressure on the Emergency Department as part of our winter planning.
“The trust continues to work with all our local partners to put in place actions to help us meet demand.


“We have seen a steady increase in people who have been ill for only a few hours, presenting with earache and flu like symptoms, which is common and can be expected at this time of year and they are using A&E and emergency services inappropriately.”


The Yate MIU’s opening times are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 7.30pm and Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays, 10am to 1.30pm.