Minor injuries units to close as health trust struggles with A&E numbers

Staff are struggling to cope in the A&E department at Hereford County Hospital Credit: ITV News Central

The minor injuries units (MIUs) at Leominster and Ross-on-Wye will close this week so staff can cover A&E shifts at Hereford County Hospital.

Wye Valley NHS Trust said it has taken the decision to help it cope with the current high demand on services.

The trust said the transfer of resources will allow it to "continue to provide a safe and effective service" at the emergency department, which sees some of the most ill patients the trust cares for.

As a result of the decision, the Ross-on-Wye and Leominster Community Hospital MIUs are to close temporarily from Wednesday, March 4.

The Trust said it will do "all it can" to reopen the MIUs as soon as possible.

What are the Minor Injury Units for?

  • The MIUs provide treatment for less serious injuries

  • They include sprains, cuts and grazes

  • The units are normally open Monday to Friday

  • Around 12 - 13 patients are normally seen every day by the two MIUs at the Ross-on-Wye and Leominster Community Hospital

The trust is already steering patients towards alternatives to the MIUs, specifically the extended hours GP hubs in Leominster, Hereford and Ross provided by Taurus Healthcare.

What to do if you sustain a minor injury

  • There are a number of other NHS services available to local residents including community pharmacies, GP surgeries, and Hereford’s Walk-in-Centre on Belmont Road, Hereford

  • This is open from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week

  • For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening the public can call NHS 111.

  • This is the easiest way to access the GP out-of-hours service and the extended access to primary care being provided by Taurus.