THE minor injuries unit at Tenbury hospital is preparing to reopen.

It will be back in business three months after being closed to enable staff to be redeployed to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The main community hospital has remained open.

Due to demands within the wards, the Minor Injury Units at Tenbury, Evesham, Malvern and were temporarily closed in January, with staff redeployed to support other services.

With pressure now easing, the three units are planning to re-open to patients who are experiencing a minor injury, for example a sprain, strain, or small cut or burn.

It is planned that the minor injuries unit in Tenbury will reopen on Monday, April 19.

The units in Evesham and Malvern will be open again from Tuesday, April 6.

But the Tenbury unit will take another 13 days in order for staff training to take place.

When it reopens the hours will be 8am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The Tenbury Minor Injuries Unit used to be open 24 hours a day but this was stopped because there was insufficient demand.

Supporters of community hospitals and minor injuries units believe that they can play an important role in reducing the pressure on Accident and Emergency at larger hospitals.

Tenbury Community Hospital has a small number of in patient beds and is used for patients that do not require the services of a major hospital and can be used as a transition before people return home.

It can also offer respite and palliative care.

At one time the hospital was able to offer minor surgery but this was closed many years ago.

The hospital has benefitted from the support of a local group of friends.

Minor Injury Units are for minor injuries only, they are not for emergency or life threatening conditions. Patients who feel they need treatment for a minor injury should contact NHS111 first before turning up at one of the sites.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be accessed online or by calling 111 free from mobiles and landlines.

Trained advisors will discuss the patient’s symptoms to identify the most appropriate health care service for their need. If this is a Minor Injury Unit they will arrange for the patient to speak to an Emergency Nurse Practitioner at the service, to identify the most suitable course of treatment for their injury.