Minor injuries to be treated over video call as new service launches at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital

The service could be rolled out to treat nursing home patients in the future if it is successful.

Patients who suffer minor cuts and burns will now be able to see a doctor from the comfort of their own home thanks to new technology launched by NHS Lothian.

The Call MIA service, based out of the Western General’s Minor Injury Unit, will see patients undergo a full consultation via video call and allow them and the hospital to avoid many of the issues linked with attending the clinic in person.

Using Call MIA, patients will be given advice on self care, told to visit a pharmacy or given an urgent appointment or consultation time for the following day without leaving home.

NHS Lothian yesterday launched a pioneering new service to treat patients with minor injuries by video call.

Gillian McAuley, nurse director of Acute Services at NHS Lothian, said the technology will allow clinicians to keep people who do not need to be treated in hospitals away from the site while still providing person-centred care.

She told the Evening News: “The good thing about this is that the patient is in their own home or business and quite a lot of our patients don’t need to be seen face to face and there is a lot you can do with this technology.

“It is also very relevant now with social distancing guidelines.

“It is about being person centred in that we are directing patients with the right outcome to the right time and the right place without having to wait to be seen at the Minor Injuries Unit.”

Acute nurse director at NHS Lothian, Gillian McAuley.

“It is an enhancement to the existing minor injuries service in NHS Lothian and will give patients timely advice and treatment, following a full Minor Injuries Assessment (MIA) - all while they sit in the comfort of their own home or work.”

The system will work by linking patients with a reliable internet connection and a webcam-enabled device with a nurse practitioner.

Calling the number 07977 246848, patients will be offered an appointment for a private, secure and confidential video call assessment which they access via a link that opens a live chat with one of the Minor Injury Unit team.

The patient will then be assessed and advice or treatment prescribed, or an appointment made for later the same day or the following day.

NHS Lothian yesterday launched a pioneering new service to treat patients with minor injuries by video call.

Ms McAuley added the service could be extended out in other parts of NHS Lothian, potentially helping treat elderly patients in nursing homes.

She said: “We deliberately have started with MIA and we could start to explore this for nursing home patients where we want to provide an assessment but don’t necessarily want them to come to hospital. There is a lot of scope to expand this.”