If you have an injury that you need advice about, you should telephone 111 who will direct your concerns as appropriate:
- Provide you with self-care advice
- Attend A&E
- Referral to a nurse within the Flow Navigation Centre for telephone triage
If needed and appropriate, you will then be given an appointment at a Minor Injuries Unit.
Alternatively, you may be directed to another care service, such as your local pharmacy or physiotherapy services.
The MIU team can help adults and children over 12 months who have a recent minor injury of up to 7 days, including:

- strains and sprains
- wounds and minor burns
- minor bumps to head and face
- simple eye injuries
- insect bites and stings
If you are given an appointment for a video consultation you will be sent a link to open at the time of your appointment which connects you to a member of the healthcare team. To work you will need a reliable internet connection and a smart phone, tablet or computer with a webcam. If you do not have video technology, but need to be seen, you will be given a face-to-face appointment.
A face-to-face consultation will be scheduled in advance to prevent long waits when you attend.
An Emergency Nurse Practitioner or Physiotherapy Practitioner will assess your injury, provide advice and treatment within a matter of minutes. A lot of minor injuries can be treated from the comfort of your home or with the help of a local pharmacy.
Our minor injury units are open seven days a week every day of the year at the sites listed below. Please note that if you arrive without arranging an appointment via 111 you may be asked to come back later.
You can also call NHS 24 on 111 free any time day or night if:
- you think you need A&E but it is not life threatening
- are too ill to wait for your GP or dentist to open
- need urgent mental health advice and guidance
IN A CRITICAL EMERGENCY OR INJURY CALL 999
Royal Hospital for Children & Young People
(under 16 years old)
50 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4TJ
Open: 24/7
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
(adults 16 years old and older)
51 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
EH16 4TJ
Open: 08:00 – 23:00
Western General Hospital Minor Injuries Unit
(for children over 12 months. Only children over 12 years old can be x-rayed)
Crewe Road South
Edinburgh
EH4 2XU
Open: 08:00-20:30
The best way to access the minor injury unit is to dial 111 to get a scheduled appointment.
ST John’s Hospital Emergency Department
(for children and adults)
Howden Road West
Howden
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 6PP
Open: 24/7












