Minor injury and illness service expands in Wirral

Nov 7 2012 by Helen Hunt, Heswall News

HEALTH chiefs are expanding their existing minor injury and illness services in the borough.

Two new minor injury and illness centres have been opened at Holmlands Medical Centre in Prenton and Kings Lane Medical Centre in Bebington.

The two centres will run as a one- year pilot and managers say the expansion of the service follows “extremely positive” feedback on two existing centres at Birkenhead Medical Building, Laird Street and Parkfield Medical Centre, New Ferry.

The move to create more minor injury and illness centres is part of an NHS drive to reduce the need for patients to attend A&E to keep departments free to deal with the most serious patients.

The centres open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Holmlands Medical Centre will remain open till 8pm on a Thursday evening.

Dr Hannah McKay, Clinical Lead for Unplanned Care for Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We are pleased to announce the extension of what has already proved to be a popular service.

“We believe that this will provide more choice and better access for people who need treatment for minor illnesses and simple injuries, and further reduce the need for people to attend the Accident and Emergency department at Arrowe Park Hospital.”