THE minor injuries unit (MIU) at Ludlow Hospital is having its hours cut.

From the beginning of February the unit will close at 8pm instead of 10pm.

Health chiefs claim the move, which is the latest cut in out-ofhour’s service, is to bring the opening hours in line with other units in Shropshire.

But it will mean that patients with illness and conditions that require treatment in the evening, which are not life-threatening, will have to travel to the accident and emergency unit at Shrewsbury.

From Monday February 4, the MIU will be open from 8am until 8pm every day.

The service provides an alternative for patients who may otherwise have to travel to accident and emergency services in Shrewsbury, Telford or Hereford.

The MIU can treat patients with conditions such as cuts and lacerations, sprains and bruises, bites, infected wounds, burns and scalding.

“The MIU in Ludlow has got new opening hours, which is the first stage of the trust working to standardise the MIU service across the county,” said Gilly Scott, clinical lead for the MIU service at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.

“Currently the four minor injury units across the county all have different opening times.

“By standardising the opening hours, people across the county, no matter where they find themselves, will know whether the local MIU will be open.

“We want to make it easier for people to know what service they can access and when.”

The MIU can be contacted on 01584 872201.

When the MIU is closed, medical cover will be provided by Shropdoc (which can be called on 08444 06 88 88).

However, anyone who has chest pains, difficulty breathing or faces a life-threatening situation should call for an ambulance immediately on 999.