A HOSPITAL in Beverley is extending its minor injuries service hours to cope with winter pressures.
The Minor Injuries Unit at East Riding Community Hospital previously opened from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, but from today, it will be open during weekends and bank holidays over winter.
Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the unit and Hull Royal Infirmary, said the extra opening hours were to cope with the growing number of patients who had been attending the hospital on weekends seeking treatment and to ease pressures on the A&E department in Hull.
The hospital is run by Humber NHS Foundation Trust.
Angie Mason, Humber's deputy chief executive and director of nursing, said: "A significant number of people tend to arrive at the hospital outside of normal hours, without an appointment, expecting to find the minor injuries unit open.
"When staff with the right clinical skills have been available, the GP out-of-hours service, also based at the hospital, has been able to treat many of these 'walk-in' patients with minor injuries on a weekend, rather than redirecting people to other minor injuries units or to A&E in Hull.
"The addition of an extra advanced nurse practitioner and a support worker will help them provide a full minor injuries service, particularly over the busy winter period."
It is hoped the extended hours will avoid people making unnecessary visits to the A&E department at Hull Royal Infirmary, especially during winter.
The minor injuries unit is now open from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, apart from Christmas Day, for a six-month period.
Local GP and chairman of NHS East Riding CCG Dr Gina Palumbo said: "The cold weather puts increased pressure on our healthcare system, and it is vital that local services work together during this busy period.
"We hope local people will welcome the news that East Riding Community Hospital will continue to provide treatment for minor injuries from experienced clinicians during the evening, weekends and bank holidays, where there is a recognised demand for the service."
Anyone who suffers a minor injury outside of the opening hours is urged to call NHS 111 for medical advice.
For all life-threatening emergencies, call 999.
