Reminder for people to choose right centre for medical care this bank holiday

To help take the strain off the emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, residents are being reminded of other services available, which can treat a range of illnesses or injuries.

The walk-in centre at St Mary’s Hospital, in Milton, will be open this weekend and on bank holiday Monday between 8am and 10pm.

The centre can treat minor injuries and illnesses and its average waiting time is normally shorter than A&E.

People with sprains, bruises, swelling, dislocations and abdominal pains can all be treated at St Mary’s as well as animal and insect bites, minor burns and wounds, fractured bones and minor back, chest, eye and shoulder injuries and infections.

Operations manager Deb Jeavons-Fellows said: ‘The bank holiday is a time when A&E services can get very busy. People are out and about and accidents happen.

‘Throughout the summer holidays children, and the adults trying to keep up with them, can be prone to slips and trips as they play.

‘We can offer X-ray facilities and treatment in a relaxed environment.

‘Added to this many doctors’ surgeries are closed for a three-day period; people may have a developing issue that needs treatment before the surgeries re-open, but that do not require them to attend A&E.’

St Mary’s recently took over walk-in services from Guildhall Walk Healthcare Centre which now only has walk-in facilities for registered patients.

The emergency department at QA Hospital should only be used in life-threatening emergencies such as loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, severe chest pain, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.