Get the Right Treatment
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Self-care
Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter.
Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.
Your Local Pharmacist
Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating.
Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription. Watch this short video on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy
At Royal South Hants Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) they provide fast, convenient and expert care for any NHS patient with a minor injury.
Their team of skilled nurses can offer treatment, advice and information for a range of minor injuries. The waiting times can be considerably less than emergency departments and if they are unable to help,they can refer or direct you to the most appropriate service.
Accessing the MIU
Patients do not need to make an appointment, just turn up during opening hours.
When they're open
Monday-Friday 7.30am-10.00pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 8.00am-10.00pm (last patient accepted at 9.30pm). Patients are treated in order of priority rather than order of attendance.
You can follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with their current waiting times.
What they treat
For adults and children, they 
- Remove foreign bodies from ears, noses etc
- Dress minor wounds, cuts and grazes
- Apply plaster of paris to broken limbs
- X-ray arms and legs (over 2 years old)
- Remove splinters
They can also treat the following:
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones to arms, lower leg and feet
- Wound infections
- Minor burns
- Minor head injuries
- Insect and animal bites
- Minor eye injuries
- Minor injuries to back, shoulder and chest
They are unable to help with:
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Major injuries
- Severe stomach pains
- Pregnancy related conditions/problems
- Severe allergic reactions
- Overdoses
- Alcohol related problems
- Conditions likely to require hospital admission
For these conditions, you should attend your local emergency department, or dial 9-9-9.
Where to find them
They are located at Royal South Hants Hospital. The entrance can be found adjacent to care park F, to the left of the main entrance on level B.
Accident & Emergency (A&E)
Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness,
- pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
- acute confused state,
- persistent, severe chest pain, or
- breathing difficulties.
If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.
Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.