The Minor Injury Unit at Ross Community Hospitals is to close for the winter, it has been confirmed this morning. Several residents contacted the Ross Gazette on Friday concerned that the Wye Valley NHS Trust was planning to close the MIU until Easter. The Gazette contacted the Trust for confirmation which was given this morning, Monday, November 19th.

Both Minor Injury Units at Ross and Leominster Community Hospitals will close from Monday, December 3rd, and reopen at the end of April.

The Wye Valley NHS Trust says that the reason is so that it can provide safe services to seriously ill patients needing urgent care at Hereford County Hospital.

Last year the Trust which runs the hospital took the decision to close the Minor Injury Units at the last minute – this year the decision has been made as part of a planned strategy to help the Trust cope with winter pressures.

The strategy also includes the use of a new 24-bedded ward at the County Hospital site which is currently being built and which will open its doors to patients before Christmas.

The temporary MIU closures will allow hospital bosses to redeploy experienced emergency nurse practitioners to provide enhanced support where it is clinically most needed – caring for seriously sick patients needing urgent care at Hereford County Hospital.

“These extra staff will make a real difference,” said Jon Barnes, Chief operating officer at the Trust.

Built to see around 125 patients a day, the Emergency Department now regularly sees more than 180 a day and has recently had days with more than 200 people attending.

The Trust’s main concern is the safety of patients with acute and emergency conditions ensuring that they are assessed, diagnosed and treated rapidly

“We have a duty to provide safe and efficient care to those who most need it - this decision will help us achieve that,” added Jon.