Minor injuries units (MIUs) in Dorset which closed during the winter surge of COVID-19 will begin a phased reopening next month.

Sherborne’s MIU, based at the Yeatman Hospital, will re-open five days a week from Friday..

And while Blandford and Portland MIUs will remain closed for the time being, they will be reviewed regularly with a view to phasing them back into operation as soon as possible.

The county’s other four MIUs and Weymouth’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) will continue as normal, with extended daily opening hours of 8am-8pm remaining in place at Wimborne’s Victoria Hospital to help deal with demand until all units can be restored.

People are urged to call 111 first, rather than turn up unannounced.

What happened with the units?

Sherborne, Blandford and Portland MIUs were closed by Dorset HealthCare in January after staffing difficulties were made considerably more challenging by COVID-19 related absences.

Dorset Healthcare say: "With COVID cases again on the rise, this remains a factor.

"However, staffing of the units has also been affected by a number of retirements, plus on-going recruitment challenges. This means it could take a while before all units are back to full strength."

'We want them back working to pre-pandemic hours'

Jane Elson, Dorset HealthCare’s Service Director for Integrated Community Services, said: “Our aspiration is definitely to have all MIUs working to pre-pandemic hours and locations. However, it has been exceptionally difficult to recruit the staff we need to fill vacancies, and there remains a significant degree of COVID-related staff absences.

“We need to ensure we can provide a safe, reliable and robust service for people who need urgent care and treatment, and cannot do so across all our units if we don’t have the necessary staffing levels in place.

“However, we are able to re-open the Sherborne MIU from Sunday-Thursday and will continue to review the situation there, and at Blandford and Portland, while we strive to fill the staff vacancies.

“We are grateful for the support of our patients and partners as we seek to open all our units and encourage the public to use 111 who will often be able to provide advice over the phone or remote prescribe. If necessary, they can also book an appointment time at the nearest suitable location”

Opening hours

As of Friday, 1 April, Dorset’s MIUs and UTC will be open as below:

• Weymouth Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) – 8am-8pm, Monday-Sunday

• Bridport Hospital – 9am-6pm, Monday-Sunday

• Swanage Hospital - 8am-8pm, Monday-Sunday

• Westminster Memorial Hospital (Shaftesbury) – 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday

• Victoria Hospital (Wimborne) – 8am-8pm, Monday-Sunday

• Yeatman Hospital (Sherborne) – 9am-6pm, Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm, Sunday

• Blandford and Portland hospitals – closed, with patients being accommodated at Weymouth and extended hours at Wimborne where a face-to-face appointment is needed.

What to do if you're injured

If you have an ailment or injury that requires urgent care, please call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk in the first instance. 111 staff will assess your needs and make sure you get the best treatment at the right time, which might include booking an appointment at an MIU.

Appointments at all of the MIUs and the UTC can now be booked by 111 on your behalf where appropriate. If you turn up unannounced at an MIU/UTC, you will still be assessed but could be directed elsewhere or given an appointment lateminor r that day or the next.

For anything life-threatening, always call 999 for immediate assistance.