Visitors to the series of big events taking place in Stirling this weekend are being reminded to make use of the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Community Hospital if they require treatment for minor injuries.

Within minutes of the venues for National Armed Forces Day, Stirling Pipefest and Bannockburn Live the Stirling MIU can treat a wide range of injuries including minor burns and scalds, infected wounds, sprains and cuts and grazes and patients could be seen more quickly than in the busy Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.

The Stirling MIU is open from 9.00am to 9.00pm seven days a week and no appointment is necessary. It is staffed by emergency nurse practitioners who can prescribe medication, provide treatment and arrange X-Rays. The Unit can be accessed via the Bellfield Road entrance, which is at the side of the hospital, and parking is available on-site.

NHS Forth Valley’s Director of Public Health, Dr Graham Foster said: “The Minor Injuries Unit at Stirling Community Hospital is an excellent facility which can provide quick and effective treatment for a wide range of minor injuries in both adults and children over a year old. As the Stirling hospital is also centrally located, anyone with a minor injury could be there within a few minutes from the main event venues.”

“Making use of the local Minor Injuries Unit in Stirling will also relieve pressure on the busy Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and free up the staff there to focus on treating patients with serious injuries who require urgent treatment.”

A GP Out-of-Hours Service operates alongside the MIU from 6pm in the evenings until 8am in the morning on weekdays, and provides a 24 hour service at weekends. It can be accessed via NHS 24 by calling 111. First aid and medical support will be also available at the major events and staff will be able to provide assistance on-site or direct people to the Minor Injuries Unit, if necessary.