Dealing with Minor Injuries

Minor Injuries Unit 

If you have a minor injury, such as a cut that need stitches, a broken bone, a sprain or minor burn, please call NHS 24 on 111 and ask for the Flow Navigation Centre. They can arrange for you to be seen at the Minor Injuries Unit at Western Isles Hospital if this is appropriate. 

If you are referred to the Minor Injuries Unit your assessment will be carried out by a team of highly experienced staff in the Western Isles Hospital. They will give you quick access to health information, advice and treatment. Treatment includes being able to arrange x-rays if required, apply plasters or splints and stitch and dress wounds. 

When should you visit a Minor Injuries Unit? 

Your local MIU can treat you if you have: 

  • Cuts and wounds (including those that may need stitches) 
  • Minor burns and scalds 
  • Sprains, minor injuries or broken bones – in legs below the knee, and arms below the shoulder, where you can bear the weight through your foot or move your fingers  
  • Insect bites or other animal bites 
  • Tetanus immunisation after an injury 
  • Minor head injury – where there has been no loss of consciousness or vomiting, and no residual symptoms i.e. headache, nausea, visual disturbance, dizziness or any other symptom of concussion 
  • Removal of foreign bodies from eyes, nose or ears 
  • Nose injuries and broken noses 
  • Removal of rings, earrings and studs. 

If your injury is to a limb, joint or muscle and it is more than 3 days old please phone us on 70 3145 and we can arrange a face-to-face appointment with our First Point Contact Physiotherapist in the surgery.


Not a minor injury?

If your condition is life threatening, you should always call 999 or go straight to ED.

If it’s an emergency, and you need access to urgent care, but it’s not life threatening, you should always first phone NHS 24 on 111 

Please do not use the eConsult system for urgent matters as we may not respond to your eConsult the same day it is submitted.