THE minor injuries unit at Chard Community Hospital is one of six across Somerset to undergo a name change.
From 1 April, these units will be referred to as Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs).
The UTCs will provide the same specialist services as the minor injury units did, from the same team of nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants.
The name change is simply to bring them in line with units across the country.
The centres are active seven days a week, from 8am to 9pm, with the last patient accepted at 8.30pm.
Units are located in Bridgwater, Chard, Frome, Minehead, Shepton Mallet and West Mendip (Glastonbury).
But Burnham-on-Sea Community Hospital will remain a Minor Injuries Unit due to slightly shorter operating hours, 10am to 6pm (last patient at 5:30pm) and the lack of x-ray facilities.
Mike Paynter, consultant nurse for community urgent care services at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Although we’re changing the name to Urgent Treatment Centres, there will be absolutely no difference for patients, except you may see different signage in places."
“Our team of emergency practitioners, who are clinicians with specialised training and skills in urgent care, will still be here to provide care and treatment if you have a non-life-threatening injury or illness, and want to be seen quickly – usually in under two hours."
He continued: “At all six of our Urgent Treatment Centres based across Somerset in our community hospitals at Bridgwater, Chard, Frome, Minehead, Shepton Mallet and West Mendip (Glastonbury), as well as our MIU at Burnham-on-Sea, can treat a wide range of non-life-threatening minor illnesses and injuries.
“You don’t need an appointment to attend, although we’d recommend contacting NHS 111 first to ensure the Urgent Treatment Centre is the right place for your problem".
The Urgent Treatment Centres, based across Somerset, typically treat a wide range of minor injuries.
These include sprains and strains, broken bones, (no x-ray available at Burnham-on-Sea), cuts and wounds, bites, minor head injuries, chest, throat, eye and urinary infections, as well as emergency contraception.
Anyone unsure of the service they need should call the 24/7 NHS 111 telephone health advice line.
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