As reported in the January 22 edition of the New Blackmore Vale, the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne remains closed, a decision taken by Dorset Health Care Trust to manage the impact of covid-19.

However, we would like to clarify and reassure readers that the Yeatman Hospital remains open and all services provided by the hospital are “fully operational.”

Residents in Sherborne and the surrounding villages, a catchment area with a population of as many as 22,500, who need medical treatment for minor injuries, which include head and eye injuries, burns and scalds and injuries to the back, shoulder and chest, are being advised to ring Weymouth Urgent Treatment Centre on 01305 762541 for assessment.

Helen Persey, Dorset HealthCare’s head ofcommunity services in the west of Dorset, said: “To ensure we manage the impact of covid-19 while still providing safe and reliable services across the county, we made the decision to temporarily close the minor injuries unit (MIU) at the Yeatman Hospital at the start of the pandemic.

“Staff that were working at the unit in Sherborne have been temporarily relocated to Shaftesbury and Wimborne MIUs to improve services and extend opening times. Local people can access the MIU service by calling either 01305 762541 or 111, where you will receive a telephone assessment, and where appropriate, a prescription sent to the local pharmacy.”

“Where a face-to-face appointment is needed, you will be booked quickly into your nearest MIU or Urgent Treatment Centre, avoiding the need to wait or queue. “We are constantly reviewing how we run ourservices during the pandemic and this includes the MIUs across the county.”

“For the time being, the MIU at the Yeatman Hospital will remain temporarily closed. All other services at the hospital are fully operational. “As always, we want to keep all our patients safe and deliver the best treatment and care possible. We thank them for their understanding during these unprecedented times.”

Chairman of the Friends of Yeatman Hospital, David Hayes CBE said: “In these difficult covid times we depend on a safe and secure NHS to protect us. I hope you will be able to reassure your readers the Yeatman continues to operate in the current circumstances to the benefit of those who need it’s services.

“We remain grateful to the NBV for continuing to draw the closure of the MIU to the attention of your readers.”