Minor Injury Units (MIUs) operate at community hospitals in Abingdon, Witney and Henley.

They have x-ray facilities and specialists who can treat people for a range of injuries – from broken bones, severe sprains and deep cuts to eye injuries, minor head injuries and minor burns.

First Aid Units (FAUs) are at Bicester, Wallingford and Chipping Norton hospitals and offer the same teams but without x-ray facilities.

Marie Crofts, chief nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which runs minor injury units and two of the FAUs across Oxfordshire, said:

“Minor injuries Units and First Aid Units can help local people with a wide range of minor illness and injuries which are serious and need care now but are not life-threatening.

“There are four MIUs and three FAUs across the county and they are convenient to get to from home and most likely closer and more appropriate than A&E.

“By going to a Minor Injuries Unit or First Aid Unit you are likely to be seen more quickly than if you go to A&E which is for potentially life-threatening cases. A&E must give priority to serious and life-threatening conditions, so if  you go there with a minor injury or illness you may have to wait longer to be seen.

“The MIU and FAU teams have all the training, skills and expertise to deal with complex needs plus  the MIUs have X-ray to see if you have spoken or sprained something. Many people go to A&E when they could be treated just as well and probably quicker at a MIU or FAU. Come in and see them, our staff are here to help.”

Being seen at an MIU is easier than ever using an appointment system via the NHS 111 service.

Callers are questioned about their injury over the phone or online and given an appointment at their nearest unit.

Minor Injuries Units with X-ray facilities

Abingdon Community Hospital

Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1AG

Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm

Townlands Hospital

York Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2EB

Seven days a week 9.00am to 8.00pm

X-ray closed Bank Holidays and weekends

Witney Community Hospital

Welch Way, Witney, OX28 6JJ

Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm

First Aid Units

Bicester Community Hospital

Piggy Lane (access via Coker Close), Bicester OX26 6HT

Monday to Friday 6.00pm to 11.00pm and 8.30am to 11.00pm at weekends and Bank Holidays

Walk-in service; no referral or appointment required

Wallingford Community Hospital

(operated by Wallingford Medical Practice)

Wallingford Medical Practice

Reading Road, Wallingford, OX10 9DU

Open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 8.30am to 6.30pm

Integrated Primary Care Service

Integrated Primary Care Service at Chipping Norton Health Centre (formally known as Chipping Norton First Aid Unit)

(operated by South Central Ambulance Service)

Chipping Norton Health Centre

Russell Way, off London Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5FA

Operated by South Central Ambulance Service

Open weekday evenings 5.00pm to 9.00pm and 10.00am to 9.00pm weekends and Bank Holidays