The minor injuries unit at Guy's Hospital offers treatment to anyone with a minor injury, without the need for a referral or appointment. However, you can also be referred by your GP or other health professional. Some patients are brought to the unit by the ambulance service.
Opening hours are 8am to 4pm (last patient booked in at 3.15pm). Please note that these have changed. Outside of these hours you will need to visit accident and emergency at St Thomas'
The unit will usually treat patients with less serious injuries more quickly than the accident and emergency (A&E) department at St Thomas' Hospital.
Should you visit the minor injuries unit?
Staff at the unit treat minor injuries and illnesses including:
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injuries to upper and lower limbs
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broken bones, sprains, bruises and wounds
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bites - human, animal and insect
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burns and scalds
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abscesses and wound infections
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minor head injuries
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broken noses and nosebleeds
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foreign bodies in the eyes and nose
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sore throats and ear pain
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dental problems
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emergency contraception.
We are unable to treat injuries or pain to the neck and back area. For this please see your GP or visit A&E for advice.
Children aged over 12 months can be treated in the unit. A specialist paediatric (children's) nurse treats children aged 1 - 12.
When you arrive
The receptionist will ask for your name, address, date of birth, contact telephone number and details of your GP or next of kin. We need this information so we can produce a treatment card for you. All the information that you give us is confidential.
Waiting times
You will usually be seen more quickly in this unit rather than in A&E. However, how long you wait to be seen depends on:
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the seriousness of your condition
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how many patients with more serious or urgent needs arrive in the unit while you are waiting.
Your behaviour in the unit
Our staff should be able to carry out their work without fearing for their safety. We do not tolerate threatening or aggressive behaviour towards staff. Anyone who behaves in this way or who damages hospital property will be asked to leave by our security staff.
If appropriate, we will take legal action and press for the maximum penalty.
When you are seen
You will be seen by an emergency nurse practitioner (ENP). You will be assessed, diagnosed, treated and discharged by one nurse. You may need x-rays, a urine test or blood test before a diagnosis can be made.
If your condition is more serious or the nurse cannot deal with your problem, you will be referred to your GP, A&E at St Thomas' or to another clinic.
Leaving the hospital
When you are ready to leave the unit, you may be given a letter to give to your GP with information about your injury. This helps him/her give you a better service.
Some patients are asked to return to the hospital to visit an outpatient clinic. Clinic appointments are sent to you in the post.
We are unable to provide transport home for most patients. Guy's hospital is well served by public transport - see our travelling to Guy's page.