The health trust that runs Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals is urging people from across Doncaster and the surrounding areas to make better use of the Minor Injuries Unit at Montagu Hospital, as an alternative to its busy Emergency Department.

Located in Mexborough the Minor Injuries Unit is staffed by emergency nurse practitioners who can assess and treat a wide range of minor injuries including, minor burns and scalds, infected wounds, sprains, cuts and grazes. Staff can also examine and treat minor injuries to the eye, ear and arrange X-rays for possible broken bones.

Maisie Grierson, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, who has worked in the Minor Injuries Unit at Montagu Hospital for 10 years, said: “Many people with minor injuries automatically head for the Emergency Department, not realising that they can normally be seen and treated quicker by visiting the Minor Injuries Unit here in Mexborough.

“By choosing to come to Montagu Hospital it frees up staff in our busy Emergency Department at Doncaster Royal Infirmary to treat patients with more serious injuries who need urgent care. However we cannot see children under the age of one year and they should always be taken to an Emergency Department in the first instance.”

Open from 9am-9pm seven days a week (except for Christmas Day) no appointment is required at the Montagu Hospital Minor Injuries Unit for assessment and treatment of minor injuries.

The unit’s staff perform a crucial role and treat around 60-80 patients for a variety of minor injuries every day from all parts of Doncaster including Carcroft, Armthorpe and Rossington and the neighbouring districts of Barnsley and Rotherham.

Although specialising in minor injuries the team of emergency nurse practitioners at Montagu Hospital can quickly assess and refer patients who arrive with complex fractures to the Emergency Departments at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Barnsley Hospital and Rotherham Hospital.

Montagu Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit is located on Adwick Road in Mexborough, S64 0AZ.

Montagu Hospital MIU can treat

  • sprains and strains
  • simple fractures
  • wound infections
  • minor burns and scalds
  • sunburn
  • cuts
  • grazes
  • minor eye injuries
  • foreign bodies in eyes /ears
  • insect and animal bites
  • simple head wounds.

Montagu Hospital MIU cannot treat

  • chest pains
  • breathing difficulties
  • major injuries (road accidents)
  • problems usually dealt with by a GP
  • stomach pains
  • surgical wounds /infections
  • dental care
  • head and neck injuries
  • children aged one and under for any conditions
  • allergic reactions
  • overdoses
  • alcohol related problems
  • mental health problems
  • conditions likely to require hospital admission.

This news item was taken from The Doncaster Free Press.

The full article can be found here – Doncaster Free Press