Minor injury unit, urgent treatment centre, emergency department – know the difference

You have an injury or illness that isn’t life-threatening or serious and you need medical attention. Your first thought might be that you need to visit the emergency department (also called A&E) in Truro or Plymouth, but did you know there are other options available across Cornwall?

There are two types of help you can access when unwell or injured instead of heading to the emergency department.

In Cornwall we have 9 minor injury units (MIU) and 1 urgent treatment centre (see locations below).

Why use an MIU or UTC instead of ED? 

The short answer is – to be seen as quickly as possible. The emergency department is generally very busy, which can mean long waiting times for less serious conditions. Its purpose is to support people with life-threatening injuries or illness.

By visiting an MIU or UTC you can be seen by a nurse, doctor or paramedic, supported with your injury or illness, close to home and able to go home sooner.

If you’ve arrived at the emergency department, look for the digital screens with locations and waiting times of other places you can receive help.  As the emergency department gives priority to those most seriously ill or injured, it may still be quicker to head to an MIU. 

Even better, check our urgent care waiting times online before you set off from home – enabling you to go ‘Where is best’ and to your closest location.

Minor injury unit explained

Open every day including evenings, free parking and no need for appointment.

MIUs are nurse-led efficient, high-quality locally based service for patients with minor illness or injuries occurring within the last 14 days.

The nurse practitioners staffing the MIUs have all received specialist training to enable them to assess, diagnose and treat patients of all ages.

Examples of problems that can be treated are:

• Cuts – we can use glue, steristrips (paper stitches) or sutures to close wounds
• burns or scalds
• Bites and stings
• Sprains and broken bones
• Head injuries, when the person has not been unconscious
• Infected wounds arising from trauma (not surgery)
• Foreign bodies in eyes
• Suspected infections, e.g. chest, urinary, eye, ear, skin and throat.

Urgent treatment centre explained

Centrally located in Penzance at West Cornwall Hospital, open 8am until midnight every day including weekends and evenings, no need for appointment. You should visit an urgent treatment centre if you have a serious injury or illness, but not life-threatening.

Examples of problems that can be treated are:

• Burns and scalds
• Broken bones simple fractures to the arms and legs
• Deep cuts
• Urinary infections
• Chest infections or coughs when you find it hard to breathe
• Dizziness

Emergency department

The Emergency Department (ED) is open 24 hours a day for the treatment of serious and potentially life-threatening injury and illness. For those living in the North and East of the county, there are also emergency departments at University Hospital Plymouth and Barnstaple.

Examples of when to visit include:

• Chest pain if you otherwise feel okay
• Loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing
• Major blood loss
• Stroke

Distance

If you do visit the emergency department but think you may be better seen somewhere else, it’s no problem at all for you to tell us you’d like to leave and attend another location for treatment.

Here’s the approximate distance from Truro’s emergency department to MIUs and the UTC:

• West Cornwall Urgent Treatment Centre – Penzance: 28 miles
• Bodmin Minor Injury Unit: 28 miles
• Camborne Redruth Minor Injury Unit: 11 miles
• Falmouth Minor Injury Unit: 12 miles
• Helston Minor Injury Unit: 18 miles
• Launceston Minor Injury Unit: 47 miles
• Liskeard Minor Injury Unit: 37 miles
• Newquay Minor Injury Unit: 14 miles
• St Austell Minor Injury Unit: 15 miles
• Stratton Minor Injury Unit: 52 miles

Not sure where to go?

NHS 111 can check your symptoms and tell you what to do and which is the nearest or quickest option.

Check your symptoms on 111 online, or call 111 to speak to someone if you need help for a child under 5.

Don’t forget

Think pharmacy first – there’s also nearly 100 pharmacies that can offer medical advice, visit: Find a pharmacy – NHS  Is there space to add the conditions they can support and prescribe for?