Publish date: 5 June 2026
Mid Cheshire Hospitals is encouraging patients to get the right care in the right place by understanding what the Minor Injuries Unit at Victoria Infirmary Northwich (VIN) can treat.
The nurse-led Minor Injuries Unit is open 9am – 8pm, seven days a week, and is there to help people with a range of minor injuries, including cuts, sprains, minor burns and minor head injuries. Choosing VIN for appropriate conditions helps patients get quicker care and ensures emergency services are available for those who need them most.
Each year, a significant number of patients attend hospital services with injuries that could be safely treated in a Minor Injuries Unit. Likewise, VIN regularly sees patients who need to be redirected to emergency or specialist care. Making sure people attend the right service first time helps reduce delays and pressure on busy emergency departments such as Leighton Hospital A&E.
VIN is not a walk-in centre or an emergency department. Patients with serious or life‑threatening symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, poisoning or severe burns should attend A&E or contact NHS 111, who can provide advice on the most appropriate service.
By understanding what VIN can treat, patients can access the right care more quickly, while helping us make sure emergency services are available for those who need them most.
What can be treated at VIN:
- Minor cuts and wounds
- Minor head injuries
- Limb injuries (e.g., sprains and fractures)
- Eye injuries
- Foreign bodies in the eyes, nose, and ears
- Minor burns and scalds
- Animal and human bites (excluding insect bites)
What can’t be treated at VIN: If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you will need to seek treatment elsewhere, such as Leighton Hospital's A&E or contact NHS 111:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath (SOB)
- Chest, abdominal, or hip injuries
- Poisoning
- Cough, cold, or sore throat symptoms
- Insect bites
- Health conditions usually treated by a GP
- Children under the age of 1
Thank you for your support and cooperation in helping to ensure VIN’s Minor Injuries Unit is available for patients who need it. If you’re unsure where to go, NHS 111 can help guide you to the right service.
