Discussions about the future of the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at The Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne are still ongoing after it closed ‘temporarily’ during the early weeks of the first lockdown last year.

Many residents have written to the New Blackmore Vale speaking of their dismay at the continued closure of what they describe as an ‘essential facility’ which serves Sherborne and the surrounding villages. The Yeatman Hospital closed on April 6 during the early weeks of lockdown, a decision taken by Dorset Health Care Trust to manage the impact of covid-19.

But Shirley Fooks, who is part of the Yeatman Bereavement Group which met weekly at the hospital before it closed, is worried that the MIU might ‘never re-open’.
“I was very seriously concerned when, under the cover of the first coronavirus lockdown, it was announced that Minor Injuries Unit was moving to Shaftesbury, but would be returning,” said Shirley.
“At this time clinics were also closed with patients moved out of the hospital.

Eventually, The Yeatman Hospital was used for the nursing of stroke patients but we don’t know what is happening to the MIU.
“I was treated at the MIU for a rather nasty gash to the top of my head after a fall into rusty wire in the garden. On arrival I was treated immediately, the wonderful nurse calling on extra help from the Yeatman nursing staff to glue me back together again! A brilliant response.”

She added: “Sherborne is unique in that it is a small town, but we have nine schools and a large percentage of elderly people living here, all of whom would benefit from the return of the full use of The Yeatman Hospital.”

The Yeatman Bereavement Group met at the hospital each week, as a valuable support mechanism for people who had lost loved ones.
Shirley added: “I understand we were unable to meet when the first lockdown was introduced, but the hospital remained closed even when restrictions were lifted in the summer, despite the Government encouraging small support groups of up to six to reconvene.”

“I am worried that our bereavement group being unable to meet is part of a much larger problem and that we could lose our hospital altogether. I fear that at the end of the year, the NHS will look at the statistics at The Yeatman and say it is not been used to full capacity and an expense that they can do without. Very, very worrying.”

The MIU at the Yeatman Hospital served people in Sherborne, which has a growing population of some 22,500 who need medical treatment for minor injuries, including burns, injuries to the back, shoulder and chest and eye and head injuries. People who need medical treatment for minor injuries are being advised to ring the Weymouth Urgent Care Centre for assessment. Chairman of the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital David Hayes has engaged in discussions with the Chief Executive of Dorset Healthcare Trust, North West Dorset MP Chris Loder, Lead of North Dorset Local Primary Care Network Dr Rob Childs, Sherborne Town Council and representatives of the town’s Patient Groups to take concerted action to ensure the MIU is reopened. Mr Hayes said he has been told by executives of DHCT that there are no plans to close the Yeatman Hospital, evidenced by the re-opening of the stroke clinic, and said that discussions around the MIU are ongoing.

In November 2020, Mr Hayes said the impact of the decision to close the MIU would be an increase in emergency visits to local GP practices and to the A&E at Yeovil District Hospital.

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