Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centre

Minor Injuries Units
Choose the right service

Torbay Hospital is extremely busy and our staff are working hard to care for some very poorly patients. If it’s not an emergency, please visit your local pharmacy, GP or our urgent treatment centre. And if in doubt, call NHS 111. Choose the right service for you.

If your injury is not serious but does need attention, it’s usually better for you to visit a local Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). MIUs provide treatment for less serious injuries, such as broken bones and sprains, cuts, grazes, burns and scalds. The Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Newton Abbot Community Hospital is a walk-in service, while our MIUs in Dawlish and Totnes operate appointment-priority services.

Many people go to Emergency Department (A&E) with minor injuries which could usually be treated more quickly at a MIU. This would allow A&E staff to concentrate on more serious and life-threatening conditions.

MIUs are run by a team of highly qualified nurse practitioners who have experience and expertise in treating minor injuries.

Appointment bookings at minor injuries unit

Our minor injuries units (MIUs) at Dawlish and Totnes community hospitals operate appointment priority services, with people able to book an appointment for the same day.

For contact details, opening hours and facilities, please see continue down this page.

Newton Abbot Community Hospital UTC

Address:
Newton Abbot Community Hospital UTC, West Golds Road, Jetty Marsh, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2SL
Tel:
01626 324500
MIU opening hours:
8am – 8pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays
Current waiting time
X-ray opening hours:
9am – 5pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays (closed Christmas Day).
Please call before attending to confirm service is operating.
Facilities:
Car parking (free parking for registered carers), Cycle parking, Disabled parking, Induction loop, Wheelchair access, Step free access, Shop and café in main foyer area.
Further information:
Newton Abbot Community Hospital

Dawlish Community Hospital MIU

The minor injuries unit at Dawlish Community Hospital reopens on Tuesday 2 April 2024. The MIU will be open Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm.

The MIU at Dawlish Community Hospital has an ‘appointment-priority’ service.

Bookings will only be taken for the same day. To book an appointment, please call 01626 895203.

The unit supports walk-in visitors, but appointments will be prioritised. If the service is at capacity, the walk-in may be redirected or called back at an alternative time.

Address:
Dawlish Community Hospital MIU, Barton Terrace, Dawlish, EX7 9DH
Tel:
01626 895203
MIU opening hours:
8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
X-ray opening hours:
No x-ray service
Facilities:
Car parking, disabled WC, induction loop, step free access.
Further information:
Dawlish Community Hospital

Totnes Community Hospital MIU

The MIU at Totnes Community Hospital has an ‘appointment-priority’ service.

Bookings will only be taken for the same day. To book an appointment, please call 01803 862622 and select option 1.

The unit supports walk-in visitors, but appointments will be prioritised. If the service is at capacity, the walk-in may be redirected or called back at an alternative time.

Address:
Totnes Community Hospital MIU, Coronation Road, Totnes, TQ9 5GH
Tel:
01803 862622
MIU opening hours:
8am – 5pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
X-ray opening hours:
  • 9am – 5pm, Monday, and 9am – 1pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, excluding bank holidays.
    Please call before attending to confirm service is operating.
Facilities:
Braille translation service, Car parking (free parking for registered carers), Cycle parking, Disabled parking, Disabled WC, Induction loop, Wheelchair access, Step free access, Signing service, Shopping facilities within walking distance.
Further information:
Totnes Community Hospital

What conditions can an MIU help with?

  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Limb injuries (shoulder to finger, knee to toe)
  • Low risk head injuries (note: patients on blood thinners must be referred to the emergency department)
  • Soft tissue infections
  • Wounds including bites, lacerations, abrasions, bites and stings and wounds requiring sutures or glue
  • Wound infections which haven’t already been treated with antibiotics
  • Foreign bodies in eyes and ears
  • Eye issues such as conjunctivitis
  • Minor illnesses such as tonsillitis, ear infections and female UTIs

Investigations and testing

The units have limited access to investigations, we can complete a basic urinalysis. Some provide basic observations through x-ray and ECG tests (note: cardiac chest pain shouldn’t be referred to an MIU / UTC or anyone requiring an ECG as these have to be interpreted by a doctor). No blood testing is carried out.

We can’t x-ray:

  • hips and femurs
  • skulls and facial bones
  • spines – cervical thoracic or lumber
  • sternum
  • chest and ribs
  • We don’t perform CT, MRI or ultrasound scans, and we can’t carry out any x-rays ordered by your GP

What can’t an MIU help with?

Injuries

  • Brain or spinal cord injuries
  • Chronic pain
  • Head injury requiring imaging x-ray / MRI
  • High energy head injuries
  • Injuries older than two weeks is outside our scope for x-ray and will need outpatient referral for x-ray
  • Injuries to the tongue and teeth
  • Open fractures

Illnesses

  • Chest pains
  • Dental problems
  • Diarrhea / vomiting / constipation
  • Drug / alcohol and social issues
  • Loss of consciousness or focal or neurological deficits
  • Limping child with a fever
  • Male or female catheterization
  • Male UTIs
  • Persistent headaches
  • Pregnancy related issues
  • Seizures
  • Sepsis
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Sudden severe shortness of breath

Other exclusions

  • Chronic disease/long-term condition management
  • Repeat prescriptions
  • Safeguarding concerns (e.g. possible non-accidental injury or a vulnerable person is affected)
  • Stab wounds
  • Minor surgery such as abscesses or cysts
  • Redressing of chronic wounds

There are a number of ways of assessing and treating minor injuries and ailments. If you are unsure whether to seek medical advice, please phone 111 and ask for guidance. They will be able to advise you, and can also tell you where your nearest Minor Injuries Unit is.

Emergency Departments (A&E)

If you have a more serious injury that needs urgent medical attention you should attend an Emergency Department or call 999.

There are three ‘Acute’ Hospitals in the Southern Devon area providing Emergency Departments (A&E) for more serious injuries and conditions requiring emergency treatment:

Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay
TQ2 7AA

Tel: 0300 456 8000 (local rate) or 01803 614567

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

Tel: 01392 411611

Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH

Tel: 0845 155 8155 or 01752 202082