Overview
A Minor Injury Unit (MIU) treats urgent physical injuries that are not life-threatening. You can visit an MIU for recent injuries that occurred within the last 7 days.
What a Minor Injury Unit can treat
You can attend a Minor Injury Unit for:
- Sprains, strains, and suspected broken bones in arms, lower legs, hands, or feet
- Cuts, grazes, and wounds that may require stitches or dressing
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor head or neck injuries where there was no loss of consciousness
- Insect bites, animal bites, and sting injuries
- Removal of foreign objects from eyes, ears, or nose
- Simple eye injuries
What a Minor Injury Unit cannot treat
Minor Injury Units do not treat general health conditions. You should not attend for:
- General illnesses, coughs, flu, or stomach bugs
- Long-term back pain or ongoing joint issues
- Chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding
- Injuries older than 7 days
For general health illnesses, please contact your GP practice or visit a local pharmacy. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
How to attend a Minor Injury Unit
To attend a Minor Injury Unit in Scotland, call NHS 24 first by telephoning 111.
Calling 111 ensures you receive the right care in the right place and helps reduce your wait time.
- Telephone 111: Call NHS 24 on 111. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone assessment: A trained healthcare advisor will assess your injury over the phone.
- Book an appointment: If a Minor Injury Unit is appropriate, the advisor will schedule a phone consultation, video assessment, or direct face-to-face appointment time at your nearest unit.
- Arrive for care: Attend the unit at your allocated time slot. Staff can perform tests such as X-rays, apply plaster casts, and dress wounds.
If you arrive at a unit without calling 111, staff will still assess you, but you may be allocated an appointment slot to return later if the service is busy.