NHS Minor Injury Units provide an assessment and treatment service for patients with injuries within the past week.  This service prefers you to have an appointment to be seen at one of their minor injury units. You book an appointment by calling NHS 24 on 111. Patients with appointments will be prioritised.

The MIU team can help adults and children over 12 months who have had any of the following conditions, if these happened within the past week:

• Arm, wrist and hand injuries
• Knee, ankle and foot injuries
• Back, shoulder and rib injuries
• Head and neck injuries in people who are fully conscious
• Cuts and wounds which may need dressing and stitches
• Minor burns and scalds​
• insect bites (ticks etc) and stings

Conditions such as colds, gynaecology issues, addictions, mental health issues, breathing problems and severe allergic reaction will not be treated.  This is because our minor injury units are designed to assess injuries of a potentially painful, but non-life threatening nature.

Our minor injury units are open seven days a week every day of the year. Please note that if you arrive without arranging an appointment via 111 you may be asked to come back later. 

Some minor injuries can be treated with help from a local pharmacist or via video consultation with a qualified Nurse Practitioner.

If you require further assessment or treatment you will be given a face-to-face appointment to attend a minor injury unit which could the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the Western General Hospital or St John’s Hospital if you are aged 16 and over.

Children aged 15 and under will be asked to attend the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People or can also be scheduled an appointment at St John’s Hospital or the Western General Hospital.

If you’re spending time outdoors this summer, be tick aware. Take measures to prevent getting bitten, and if you do get bitten, remove the tick as soon as possible. More information:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/tick-bites/

https://www.nhsinform.scot/lyme-disease

• Check for ticks on your skin following time spent outdoor in green spaces. Ticks are very small and can be hard to spot. Doing a full body check is extremely important.
• Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass when out walking.
• Wear appropriate clothing (long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks) when out in green spaces.
• Light-coloured fabrics can help you in spotting a tick early.
• Use insect repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
• Remove tick (see image below). Wash the affected skin with soap and water and apply an antiseptic cream to the area of skin around the bite.

Tick Awareness Leaflet

If you have concerns please contact Minor Injuries Assessment Service on 111 for help and advice.