Clearing Up Confusion About Hospital Help in Gwent

Thursday 30th October 2025

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is reminding residents across Gwent how choosing the right NHS service can save time for both patients and staff – and in some cases, could even save lives.

When a Gwent resident is in need of urgent or emergency care, there are a number of places that can help, but knowing which one to choose can sometimes be confusing.

With The Grange University Hospital’s Emergency Department designed to treat the area’s sickest patients, the four Minor Injury Units across Gwent can provide prompt treatment of less serious problems, such as broken bones, dislocations, wounds, grazes and minor burns.

While Minor Injury Units can care for a wide range of injuries, with 95% of people seen within four hours, they can’t offer treatment for illnesses or emergencies, and frequently experience patients attending with illnesses that they are not equipped to treat.

Having residents attend Minor Injury Units and the Emergency Department with problems that should be seen elsewhere can be distressing for staff and families alike, but choosing the right place, first time, can make a huge difference to the amount of time that patients are waiting for care.

Two years ago, Raymond Mills went straight to the Royal Gwent Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) with a broken wrist, where he received swift treatment for the fracture. This month, after his wife, Rina, suffered a fall, Raymond suspected she had sustained the very same injury. As a New Inn resident, Raymond instinctively drove her to The Grange University Hospital, simply because it was on the way to the Royal Gwent Hospital. As it was more appropriate for Rina to be treated elsewhere, they were quickly redirected to attend one of the nearby Minor Injury Units for treatment.

Reflecting on the experience, Raymond said:

“I wish I’d just gone straight to a Minor Injury Unit this morning - it’s only because we live close and had to drive past the Grange that I thought to go there first. With my background as a former GP surgery manager, I should have known better. It saves staff time and the patient’s time to go to the right place first time.”

Once at the MIU, wife, Rina, received prompt, expert care, where her wrist was manipulated and plastered within two hours of attending the unit.

Rina and Raymond aren’t the only residents not to have chosen the right place for help, first time. During their brief two-hour visit to the Royal Gwent’s MIU, two potentially life-threatening medical emergencies arrived at the unit to be treated - with both having to be urgently redirected to the Emergency Department (ED) at The Grange University Hospital to receive specialist care.

This is a regular occurrence at the Minor Injury Units across Gwent, which puts a real strain on the units’ staff and doesn’t provide the best experience for patients.

Claire McCarthy, Consultant Nurse for Emergency Care at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “Multiple times a week, we’re seeing patients who are very unwell attending MIU and not ED. Our MIU staff can provide expert treatment for a number of different injuries and often treat more than 150 patients in a day - but they are not equipped to treat illnesses or emergencies.

“Having to deal with the medical emergencies that come in also then take MIU staff away from being able to treat the patients that have attended there appropriately, which increases waiting times for everyone.

“We absolutely understand why people rush to their nearest place - especially when the lights are on, the doors are open and they’re stressed, panicking, in pain or worried about themselves or a loved one. But choosing the right place, first time, will not only save time for both patients and staff; it can often make a huge difference to patient safety and outcomes.”

The Health Board urges anyone in need of urgent medical help to use the Gwent Health Guide or call 111 for advice if they are unsure where to go.

In a life-threatening emergency, patients should always call 999 or go to the Emergency Department at The Grange University Hospital.