WAITING times for Redditch's accident and emergency department can now be viewed online.

People can view the waiting times for A&E departments at the Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Royal Hospital, as well as the Minor Injuries Unit (MIUs) at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove online, with live data being updated every five minutes.

The information — which aims to help people decide whether A&E really is the place for them — will also show the total number of patients waiting to be seen in the departments as well as signposting to other healthcare services available in the county which may be more appropriate.

Penny Venables, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We hope the availability of the live waiting time information for the A&E departments will further enable patients who are considering coming to A&E but don’t have a life-threatening illness or injury to choose the most appropriate healthcare option for their need.

“There are a range of local NHS services in Worcestershire which may be quicker than A&E, and may even be closer to your home. Using the right service means treatment can be given quicker to those really in need of urgent care.”

The Advertiser reported earlier this month on how the amount of patients visiting A&E in Worcestershire who were seen by a doctor or nurse within four hours dropped below 95 per cent in August for the first time since May.

Sarah Dugan, chief executive at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “Our MIUs provide a really good service to those whose condition doesn’t require urgent, emergency care.

"The waiting times in MIUs are just a fraction of what they can be in A&E and we have trained nurses who provide excellent standards of care and treatment. We are pleased to be working with our partners to ensure that information on current services and waiting times is readily accessible to local people.”

MIUs can treat patients with a wide range of minor injuries including cuts, grazes, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns.

The waiting time data is available by visiting worcsacute.nhs.uk, isaandeforme.com or redditchandbromsgroveccg.nhs.uk