Service : Minor Injuries Unit

Service overview

Our service provides treatment for a wide range of non-life-threatening injuries that still require prompt medical attention.

We treat a range of minor injuries, such as:

Allergic reactions, like wasp stings
Burns
Cuts, including facial cuts
Dislocated joints
Eye injuries, and we can refer you to the Eye Casualty service.
Fractures
Head and facial injuries
Insect and animal bites
Minor injuries after a road accident, like neck strain, cuts, bruises, whiplash
Sprains and strains
Unwanted objects stuck in ears or nose

There are some problems we can’t treat such as:

All minor illness, like earache, cystitis, tonsillitis, skin infections, abdominal pain
X-rays for spinal, hip, and chest injuries

We do offer X-rays for some injuries, but we will talk to you about these first.

You can use the NHS 111 website for more advice on minor injuries, and prescriptions.

Visit NHS 111 for further injury advice

Accessing our service

Our service is open to everyone. You can call us directly, or NHS111 who will direct you to us.

Please do not arrive unless you have an appointment.

If we’re not able to treat you here, we’ll direct you to the right service or healthcare professionals who can.

Call 999 or visit A&E for more serious injuries and emergency help.

Your assessment

When you arrive for your appointment, we’ll take you into one of our clinic rooms.

One of our nurses or paramedic practitioners will assess you and talk about the issue you have.

We’ll try to treat your injury in the clinic or guide you to another service if it’s appropriate.

If it’s possible, we suggest wearing loose clothing to help you feel comfortable, and help our team assess and treat you.

Please remember to bring a list of any medication you’re currently taking.

You can bring one person with you if you need help.

All children and young people under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

X-ray service times

Some injuries may require an x-ray. Once we've assessed your injury, we'll let you know whether or not you need one.

Our x-ray service is open from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Please bring the necessary paperwork when you're referred for your x-ray appointment.

Do not arrive for an x-ray unless you have an appointment.

Managing your health

Your e-Health Passport

Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.

Learn more

Contact us and FAQs

West Berkshire Community Hospital

Minor Injuries Unit

Contact number: 0118 904 6999 Open 8am to 10pm everyday

Post Address: RG18 3AS

Location details

NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next.

Contact number: 111

Visit NHS 111

Frequently asked questions

Can I send pictures or videos of my injury?

No. Please do not send us any pictures or videos of your injury. You can explain your injury to us when you contact us or NHS 111 for an appointment.

Can I call you to check if you can treat my injury?

Yes, you can contact us if you're unsure. You can also contact NHS 111 for more advice for injuries.

Can you treat children and young people under 18?

Yes, our service is open to everyone.

Will I need to have a blood test?

Depending on your injury, we may have to take blood samples. We'll talk to you about this.

What should I do if I can’t travel to my appointment because of my injury?

See if a family member or friend can help you. If not, please call NHS 111 for further advice.

Can I take any medication before visiting?

If you’re in pain, you should take any pain relief medication that you would normally take.

Please tell us if you have taken anything when you come for your appointment.

We can also help you with

Is there any information for friends, family and carers?

If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.

How do I request an interpreter?

We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.

Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.

We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:

telephone interpreting
video remote interpreting (VRI)
face‑to‑face interpreting
written translation
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting

How can I get information in an accessible format?

Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.

We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:

British Sign Language (BSL)
large print
braille
audio
easy Read
email
text message
face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present

If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.

Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?

Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.

These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.

To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.

Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.

Treating our team with respect.

Respect is important.

We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.

Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.

We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.

This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.