An intake of new staff is set to bolster the services offered by the Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) at Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough hospitals.
From 1st November 2010, all three units, which provide a ‘walk in’ service to treat a range of minor injuries, will be open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Two new specialist Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENP) have been recruited in recent weeks, strengthening the range of skills and experience within the MIUs’ team.
A number of ‘floating’ ENPs, who will help support the service by moving from unit to unit to cover staff leave and sickness, will also be available, together with additional Healthcare Assistant support.
Jayne Boyfield is Managing Director of East Sussex Community Health Services who operate and staff the MIUs.
She says:
"It is great news that these new recruits will be starting work at the MIUs, allowing the units, once again, to offer services to local people 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The MIUs have been experiencing some short term staffing issues of late which came about due to a combination of vacancies arising, difficulty in recruiting highly specialist staff to fill those posts, as well as unplanned staff leave and sickness.
To ensure a safe and effective service we had to operate revised opening hours during August, September and October, but happily that will now come to an end."
Jayne adds:
"Getting the right care in the right place is better for patients and better for the NHS as it helps us to make the best use of resources.
The Minor Injuries Units can help people with cuts, sprains and other less serious injuries, such as eye infections and simple bone fractures.
They are one part of a wide range of NHS services local people can use to get the care and treatment they need."
There are three MIUs in the NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald area at the Lewes Victoria Hospital, Uckfield Community Hospital and Crowborough War Memorial Hospital.
You do not need an appointment - walk in or telephone for advice when the units are open.
Further details are available on our Minor Injuries Unit information page.
