A treatment service for minor injuries: maintaining equity of access

Many studies have indicated that inner-city Accident and Emergency departments treat a large number of patients with minor injuries who do not require their specialized skills. However, if these patients are to be persuaded to go elsewhere then an acceptable alternative service must first be made available to them. This paper describes the events that surrounded the closure of Ancoats hospital Accident and Emergency department in North Manchester and the subsequent opening of a nurse-run minor injuries treatment service in a new community clinic. It provides a detailed review of the workload over the first six months and concludes that the treatment service is popular with the community and is used appropriately by the vast majority of attenders. Estimates of the average cost of attendance are given. A nurse-run treatment room is recommended as an acceptable alternative service for the treatment of minor injuries.