Minor Injury Unit

Opening hours

The MIU is open seven days a week from 8am - 8pm.  

When capacity has been reached before closing, there is a process in place and patients will be assessed to ensure it is safe for them to return the following day. If the condition requires urgent treatment they will be signposted to an alternative service. 

Do I need a referral or appointment to attend?

The MIU is a walk-in service, and no referral or appointment is required.

You can call 111 if you would like to check if the MIU is the most appropriate service for you.

Bookings cannot be made by calling the MIU directly and advice and/or consultations are not provided over the telephone.

What conditions does the MIU diagnose and treat? 

Adults and children over the age of 5 can attend with the following conditions:

• Wounds that need closing (including staples, stitches, glue and steri-strips)
• Limb injuries including fractures
• Bites and stings
• Infected wounds
• Head injuries (excluding those aged over 65, had a previous history of loss of consciousness or those taking blood thinners)
• Eye problems such as infections or scratches
• Sports injuries
• Minor burns and scalds 
• Emergency contraception
• Minor illnesses for adults aged over 18 such as a sore throat or ear pain. Please note, children cannot be seen for minor illnesses.

The MIU is nurse led and there is not a doctor on site. If you’re in any doubt whether a person’s condition is appropriate to be dealt with at the MIU, please call before visiting.

X-ray facility

There is an X-ray facility at Caterham Dene Hospital that clinicians in the MIU can refer you to. This service is provided by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Information about the X-ray service found be found here. 

Dressing Clinic

Our Dressing Clinic is for people who are unable to get an appointment with their practice nurse for the day they require their wound dressing change. Booked appointments are required for the Dressing Clinic. 

You can find out about the types of wounds we treat, clinic times and how to book an appointment here. 

When should I not attend the MIU?

Please do not attend if you are suffering from:

• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Rectal or vaginal problems
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Long-term joint or back pain (the majority of injuries over two weeks old are not appropriate for the MIU)
• Re-dressings including leg ulcer dressings (there is a dedicated dressing clinic, visit this page to find out how to make an appointment)
• Hip or spinal injuries
• Second opinion on an ongoing condition
• Routine repeat prescriptions.

If you think your condition is life-threatening, you should dial 999 or go to your nearest emergency department.

You can phone 111 for medical advice 24/7 or visit NHS 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk

Local pharmacies can also help with many common health problems – visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

Registration

Please report to reception on arrival. Once you have been booked in you will be seen by a streaming clinician who will complete a clinical assessment.

You could then be treated within the MIU, given self-care advice, signposted to another service, or referred to another healthcare provider.

Waiting times

Waiting times can vary depending on the time of day and the number of patients, but are generally less than emergency departments. Weekends and evenings are the busiest times, making wait times longer.

It is difficult to predict exactly how long you will have to wait, as some patients take longer to assess and treat than others. Please ask the reception staff if you would like an approximate waiting time. 

Contact details

Call: 01883 837 500 extension 4

Address: Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 5RA 

The MIU is just a short distance from East Surrey Hospital. 

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