New minor injuries unit opens at Coventry hospital to help with A&E demand

[dutchman]

The new section at UHCW is part of a £15million government-funded scheme



A new section for minor injuries and illnesses has opened at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW). The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is part of a new government scheme which hopes to relieve pressure, wait-time and services in A&E.

£15million has been funded by the government as part of the Emergency Department expansion project after the demand has only continued to increase. Patients will be sent down from A&E to the MIU if they have an urgent but not life-threatening condition, such as sprains, fractures, minor burns or skin infections.

It has 15 treatment rooms including a plaster room and an ophthalmology room. Staff can also perform same-day reconstructive plastic surgery for patients with minor hand injuries.

The service in the new unit will also run 24 hours of the day for those who need it. It is based on the left of the main hospital entrance.



Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “We have received fantastic feedback from those patients who have used the unit. This marks phase one of our wider Emergency Department redevelopment, which will allow us to future proof our services and further improve how patients are assessed and treated within our emergency pathways to enhance their overall experience.”

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Phase two of this major redevelopment, which has already resulted in the opening of a new paediatric resuscitation area, is now under way, focusing on the expansion of the Majors Emergency Department and patient waiting area, which will include creating dementia friendly cubicles and an additional mental health cubicle."

The whole project is expected to be completed by September 2023.

[dutchman]

No clocks you'll notice? That's so no one can tell how long they've been waiting.

[rebbonk]

No clocks you'll notice? That's so no one can tell how long they've been waiting.

I worked with a major UK bank and they did exactly that! As the CEO said, 'if we don't make it easy for them to see the time, they won't notice and complaints will go down!' - He was actually right and it proves what many have known for years, if you can't fix what's wrong, 'fix' the measure being used!