OKEHAMPTON Medical Centre has given an update on the status of the town’s minor injuries unit since it moved to the practice back in June.

The medical centre took over the running of the unit after no bidder came forward to run the facility at Okehampton Hospital. The practice has agreed to run the service from Monday to Friday for 12 months.

Since moving, the unit, manned by experienced nursing staff, is averaging ten to 20 patients each day. Waiting time depends on the demand of the day and the nurse team will always be alerted by the reception team if a patient needs immediate attention.

Pip Rubbra, multi-disciplinary team lead for the centre, said: ‘Positive feedback from patients has been that they have been treated quickly and professionally and avoided the need to travel to Exeter or Launceston.

‘Negative feedback has been that there is not a seven day X-ray service here in Okehampton so if a diagnostic X-ray is needed following an injury, a visit to A&E is still needed. We can only stress unless this service changes that these patient go straight to Exeter if there is any risk of fracture following an injury.

‘We welcome patients to attend the minor injuries unit if they feel their condition is one of the following: 

Sprains and strains

Minor burns and scalds

Minor head injuries

Insect and animal bites

Minor eye injuries

Injuries to the back, shoulder and chest.

‘However, there is a strain on our staff if unregistered patients with minor illnesses such as eye or ear infections and urinary tract infections use this centre as a walk in service; these patients should be dealt with by their own surgery or the local pharmacist.

‘We would ask that anyone who is unsure where they should go for their illness or injury to please phone the surgery first rather than walking in.’