PATIENTS are being encouraged to consider travelling to Cardigan Minor Injuries Unit over the weekend if they need medical attention.

Hywel Dda University Health Board says that hospitals across west Wales are currently dealing with unprecedented demand, which is leading to significant delays in care and long waits at A&E departments.

As part of a new trial to help relieve pressures on our hospital A&E departments, the nurse-led services - which are based in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre – opened for weekend walk-ins without prior appointment between 15 and 16 January, with our staff seeing and treating a number of patients over the two days and will do the same this coming weekend.

The services are led by Advanced Nurse Practitioners who can assess, diagnose and treat walk-in patients who are then able to return home the same day, with a plan of care involving referrals to other services if necessary.

A health board spokesperson said: “If you have a condition which could be seen and treated at Cardigan’s Integrated Care Centre, we would strongly encourage you to attend as you can be seen more quickly, as well as helping to relieve pressure on the hospital system.”

Sian Lewis, Clinical Lead Nurse for Ceredigion Community, said: “Our Advanced Nurses were really pleased to be able to see and treat so many patients last weekend – particularly given that many of them would have otherwise faced long waits in A&E for the type of conditions that our teams here are well equipped to deal with.

“Please give us a call, or come down to the Integrated Care Centre in Cardigan if you need care and you think we can help – you don’t need an appointment, we can provide a quick service and you can be on your way home on the same day with a care plan if you need it.”

Cardigan Integrated Care Centre is located at Rhodfa’r Felin, Cardigan SA43 1JX. If you would like to speak with a triage nurse at the centre first to discuss your condition, please call 01239 803 075.

If you have a more urgent care need or in a medical emergency, please dial 999.

The type of conditions the Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Cardigan can see and treat include:

• Chest Infections

• Wound Infections

• Urinary Tract Infections

• Tonsillitis / sore throat

• Ear Infections

• Minor Chest/Hip/Pelvic/Back injuries – Patient must be able to mobilise

• Minor Head Injury

• Non-cardiac chest pain

• Skin complaints including rashes, infections, and sunburn

• Sprains, strains & soft tissue injuries

• Hay fever, Mild allergic reactions

• Minor injuries - cuts, wounds

• Minor eye injuries, complaints and irritations requiring irrigation, and Chemical eye injury

• Emergency contraception

• Suspected fractures and injuries to knee, lower leg, ankle, and feet

• Suspected fractures and injuries to arms

• Animal, insect, or human bites

• Minor burns & scalds

• Removal of foreign bodies from eyes, ears, nose & skin