Minor Injuries Unit Waiting Times UK Directory

No. Every NHS Minor Injuries Unit in the UK is walk-in. You can turn up during opening hours without an appointment and be seen in order of clinical priority. That said, calling NHS 111 first often gets you a booked time slot at an MIU or Urgent Treatment Centre, which usually means a shorter wait once you arrive — and 111 will check that the MIU is the right service for what you have.

MIUs treat recent, non-life-threatening injuries: sprains and strains, suspected simple fractures of arms, legs, fingers and toes (most have an X-ray facility on site during opening hours), minor cuts that may need glue or stitches, minor burns and scalds, insect and animal bites, foreign bodies in eyes, ears and noses, minor eye infections, and minor head injuries that did not cause loss of consciousness or vomiting. They cannot treat chest pain, suspected stroke, severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulty or anything potentially life-threatening — those need 999 or A&E.

Almost always, yes — for the conditions an MIU is designed to treat. A typical sprained ankle, simple fracture or minor cut is seen and discharged within an hour at an MIU; the same presentation at a busy A&E often waits three to four hours because A&E triage prioritises life-threatening cases first. The catch is that an MIU only treats minor injuries, so if your problem is outside its scope you will be redirected to A&E and the trip is wasted. If you are unsure, call NHS 111 first — they will pick the right service for your symptoms.

Opening hours vary widely between MIUs. Some are open 8am to 8pm every day, some open 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, and some run extended hours into the evening. A few rural MIUs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland operate as nurse-led drop-ins with seasonal hours. Always check the specific MIU's hours before travelling — the cards on this page link through to each unit's profile, where current opening hours are listed alongside the wait time.

Most NHS MIUs have an on-site X-ray department that operates during the unit's main opening hours, typically covering arms, legs, fingers, toes, hands, feet, ribs and chest. A small number of smaller community MIUs do not have X-ray on site or only have it on certain days; if you suspect a broken bone, it is worth checking before travelling. CT scans, MRI and ultrasound are not available at MIUs — those need a hospital with an A&E or radiology department.

Most MIUs treat children from age 1 upwards for minor injuries. Some larger units take babies under 1, others refer all under-1s straight to A&E or a paediatric assessment unit because babies need specialist clinical assessment. Policies vary by trust, so check the specific MIU before travelling with a young child. For any child with a head injury that caused loss of consciousness, persistent vomiting, severe pain, breathing difficulty or any sign of serious illness, go straight to A&E or call 999.

MIU waits are typically much shorter than A&E waits — often under an hour for simple injuries during off-peak times, rising to two or three hours during evening and weekend peaks at busier urban units. The exact figure depends on the unit, the time of day, and how many other patients arrived ahead of you. Every MIU on this page shows its most recent waiting figure with a freshness label (Live, Latest published, Monthly average or Estimated) so you can see at a glance how recent the number is before you set off.

Yes. NHS Minor Injuries Units are free at the point of use for everyone, regardless of GP registration, employment status or immigration status, in line with NHS rules on emergency and urgent care. You will not be asked to pay anything to be assessed, X-rayed, treated, stitched, plastered or prescribed for at an MIU. Prescriptions issued at the MIU are charged at the standard NHS rate in England (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have free prescriptions).