Whether you have bumped your head, suffered a small wound or minor burn, the nurses in the Minor Injuries Unit at Beccles and District War Memorial Hospital are there to put you right.

Eastern Daily Press: Beccles MIU is presently under-used with most people going straight to A and E at the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston. Staff at Beccles are fully trained and unit is open seven days a week.Staff Nurse Jenny McHugh (left) with Team leader Andrea Fiske.Beccles MIU is presently under-used with most people going straight to A and E at the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston. Staff at Beccles are fully trained and unit is open seven days a week.Staff Nurse Jenny McHugh (left) with Team leader Andrea Fiske. (Image: ©Archant 2014)

The unit, which is open from 8am to 8.30pm, 365 days a year, is run by a team of seven nurses specially trained in dealing with minor injuries.

Although they currently see between 15 and 20 patients a day, which increases during the summer months, lead nurse Andrea Fiske is urging more people to visit them instead of travelling to A&E at The James Paget Hospital in Gorleston.

She said: 'Many people don't realise we have a brilliant Minor Injuries Unit open to the public in Beccles. It doesn't matter where you live, you can just turn up during opening hours and our specialist nursing team will do their very best to put you right. It is so much more convenient and quicker and we'd like more people to make the most of the service we provide.'

The nurses are trained to deal with minor head injuries, small wounds, simple eye conditions, foreign bodies, corneal abrasions, minor burns and scalds, sprains and strains and bites and stings. They cannot treat complicated or serious injuries, pregnancy problems, alcohol related injuries, children under one, medical conditions or major illnesses.

Pensioner Grace Harvey, who lives in Beccles, visited the unit this week after falling at home and cutting her head. She said: 'I came here because I just couldn't stop the bleeding.

'I got seen to really quickly and all the staff are so nice. I can't speak more highly of it.'

The hospital, based in St Mary's Road, is run by East Coast Community Healthcare. Mrs Fiske added: 'If you've got any questions about whether it is appropriate to come to the minor injuries unit you can give us a call. We are always happy to give advice over the phone.' To speak to the team call 01502 718938.