The minor injuries unit at North Cambs Hospital, Wisbech, will open at weekends between Saturday and March 30.

The unit, which is run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, will be open 8.30am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Patients who need x-rays at weekends will be referred to Doddington Hospital. The unit operates a walk-in service, so no appointment is necessary.

The expanded opening times are in addition to its usual opening times from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm.

Mike Passfield, head of nursing, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, said: “The aim of the weekend opening is to provide more accessible services and reduce the pressures on local A&E departments, which are greatest during winter.

“Although A&E is for life threatening emergencies, some people from Wisbech with a minor injury might have felt they had no alternative but to go to hospital at Kings Lynn or Peterborough at weekends.

“By opening the minor injuries unit at weekends we are offering local people another alternative to A&E hospital services seven days a week.”

For medical emergencies, you should go to A&E or call 999.

GP visits are appropriate for repeat prescriptions, care for dental problems, treatment for long standing conditions, travel vaccinations, medicals and sick certificates.

The minor injuries unit will treat the following injuries:

Wounds – cuts and bruises (tetanus immunisation can also be given)

Bites – human, insect and animal

Minor burns and scalds

Muscle and joint injuries – strains, sprains, limb fractures

Sports injuries

Emergency contraception

Eye problems eg. removal of foreign bodies, conjunctivitis

Earache (patients aged 2 years and over)

Cystitis (not children or males patients)

Minor head injuries (with no loss of consciousness)