Assessment of head injuries in a minor injuries unit.

Approximately one million patients in the UK present to hospitals each year with head injuries. Almost half are under 16 years of age. (Royal College of Surgeons of England 1999). The majority of patients who attend for treatment will be suffering from a minor head injury. It is stated that some 92% of these patients will have normal neurology (Klauber 1993) and most will be discharged into the care of a responsible adult with instructions and advice for further observation at home. Only 1% of patients attending with a head injury have a skull fracture (Ramrakha & Moore 1997). The aim of this article is to guide the practitioner into ensuring a consistent, evidence-based approach to the assessment of patients with head injury when they present at a Minor Injuries Unit. This includes timely, appropriate referral for further investigation and clinical intervention.