LOCKDOWN may be easing across Wales, but Minor Injury Units (MIU) across Powys are urging patients to phone first before arriving.

Now that the weather is improving and more of us are exercising, the MIUs are seeing an increasing number of patients who have fallen and twisted or sprained their ankle or knee. Meanwhile, insect bites and gardening-related injuries are once again on the rise.

“Help us to help you and phone your Minor Injury Unit before arriving,” says Jo Wolfenden, a senior nurse with Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB).

“We began the ‘phone first’ system at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic because it allows us to book patients in and maintain safe social distancing.

“It is a simple phone triage system which means we can get the right patient to the right place at the right time.

“Often the solution for a patient can be found on the high street at local pharmacies, dentists and opticians. Sometimes, the phone triage system will advise patients to go straight to A&E so patients avoid a wasted journey.”

There are four MIUs across Powys – at Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais. Phoning ahead first also means that the nurse practitioners within the units can arrange X-ray appointments, if required.

Powys was the first of the seven health boards operating in Wales to bring in the phone triage system in order that it could maintain patient safety.

“Each patient has a booked slot and we allow for time in between appointments to clean down surfaces before we see the next patient,” added Jo.

“Our units are quite small so we just have one patient in the department at a time. The feedback from patients has been really positive; they like that they don’t have to sit in the waiting room for ages. They can remain in the comfort of their own home until their appointment.”

PTHB is also reminding patients that symptoms can be checked online and advice can be sought at NHS 111 Wales.

Always ring 999 if you are suffering from chest pains, severe breathing difficulties, a head injury, loss of consciousness or collapse, stroke symptoms, poisoning, choking or multi-trauma.

To find out more about minor injury services, visit https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/urgent-care-services/choose-minor-injury-unit/.

Minor Injury Units in Powys are able to treat adults and children aged two and over, and are appointment-only during Covid-19:

• Brecon

01874 615800 (24 hours a day)

X-ray opening times: 9am-4.30pm Monday-Friday, 9am-12.30pm at weekends

• Llandrindod Wells

01597 828735 (7am-12midnight, every day)

X-ray opening times: 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday

• Welshpool

01938 558919 / 01938 558931 (8am-8pm, every day)

X-ray opening times: 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday

• Ystradgynlais

01639 844777 (8.e0am-4.30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays)

Xray opening times: 9am-4pm Monday to Friday