PEOPLE have been urged to think about whether A&E is the best place for treatment this winter to ease pressure on already stretched hospital staff.

The county's minor injuries units (MIU) and first aid units (FAU), which are run by Oxford Health , have been highlighted as potential alternatives by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

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MIUs operate at community hospitals in Abingdon, Witney and Henley.

They have x-ray facilities and specialists who can treat people for a range of injuries – from broken bones, severe sprains and deep cuts to eye injuries, minor head injuries and minor burns.

See the full list and opening times below

FAUs are at Bicester, Wallingford and Chipping Norton hospitals and offer the same teams but without x-ray facilities.

Pete McGrane, Oxford Health Clinical Director for Community Services, said: "Minor injuries units can help local people with a wide range of minor injuries, reducing the pressures on A&E and increasing your chances of being seen more quickly. Come in and see them, they're here to help."

He added: "A&Es are for emergencies; for those serious, potentially life-threatening cases; MIUs are often a much better option for sprained ankles, wounds, bites, eye injuries etc.

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"When someone gets hurt they want to get medical help as soon as possible. MIU teams have all the training, skills and experience to help in most cases.

"They have the expertise to deal with complex needs and have X-ray too, so they can see if you've broken something or it's a sprain."

All Oxford Health's MIUs operate an appointment system via the NHS 111 service.

Callers are questioned about their injury over the phone and given an appointment at their nearest unit.

Minor Injuries Units with X-ray facilities

Abingdon Community Hospital

Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1AG

Tel: 01865 903476

Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm

Townlands Hospital

York Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2EB

Tel: 01865 903755

Seven days a week 9.00am to 8.00pm

X-ray closed Bank Holidays and weekends

Witney Community Hospital

Welch Way, Witney OX28 6JJ

Tel: 01865 903841

Seven days a week 10.00am to 10.30pm

First Aid Units

Bicester Community Hospital

Piggy Lane (access via Coker Close), Bicester OX26 6HT

Tel: 01865 903976

Monday to Friday 6.00pm to 11.00pm and 8.30am to 11.00pm at weekends and Bank Holidays

Walk-in service; no referral or appointment required

Chipping Norton War Memorial Community Hospital

Russell Way, off London Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5FA

Tel: 01865 903333 (main reception, 8.30am to 5.00pm)

Operated by South Central Ambulance Service

Open weekday evenings 5.00pm to 9.00pm and 10.00am to 9.00pm weekends and Bank Holidays

Drop-in service; no appointment required

Wallingford Community Hospital

Reading Road, Wallingford OX10 9DU

Tel: 01865 903471 (call first)

Directions to Wallingford Community Hospital

Open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 8.30am to 6.30pm