THE Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Blandford hospital has re-opened – but under new working hours.

During the pandemic, Dorset HealthCare closed MIUs at Blandford, Portland and Sherborne hospitals to help manage the spread of Covid-19 and cope with staff absences.

Opening times at Wimborne were increased to help compensate.

Then, as restrictions began to ease, Sherborne’s Yeatman Hospital MIU was re-opened five days a week, and now the Blandford unit will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9am and 5pm.

Patients should call 111 to make an appointment.

The re-opening means collectively, MIU operating hours across the Dorset are back to what they were before the pandemic, but delivered differently.

The move comes as the NHS in Dorset prepares to provide urgent care during the busy winter months.

Meanwhile, to help relieve pressure on emergency departments in Poole and Bournemouth, extended opening hours will also be maintained at the Victoria Hospital MIU in Wimborne.

The changes have been agreed in partnership with the county’s integrated care system, NHS Dorset, to help manage demand.

Arrangements will be reviewed again in March.

Tim Hodgetts, Dorset HealthCare’s deputy director for integrated care services, said: “We’re delighted to make Blandford Hospital MIU available again for two days each week. It bolsters our MIU network and offers residents greater choice if they need to seek treatment.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge anyone needing urgent medical help or advice to call 111 in the first instance, rather than just turning up at an MIU. This is our preferred route as it will help us to assess your condition and ensure you get the right support, at the right place, as quickly as possible.

“However, walk-ins will be accepted and assessed but may be directed to a more appropriate service or asked to return to the MIU with an appointment time.”

Despite the partial closure of Dorset’s MIU network, attendances at available units have increased compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Almost 93,000 appointments are projected for this year, compared with just under 57,000 for the whole of 2019.

In particular, figures indicate activity previously seen at Blandford and Portland has been absorbed by the MIU at Wimborne and the Urgent Treatment Centre at Weymouth.

Emma Wilson, head of urgent and emergency care at NHS Dorset, added: “Choosing the right care when you need it could mean you are seen more quickly.

“If you need to think about the care you require, you almost certainly don’t need to head to an emergency department, where you may have a long wait and also be delaying someone who has a more urgent need.

“Our hospitals are really busy at the moment, so if you think your need is urgent but not a life-threatening emergency, then you could be treated more quickly by calling 111 and if you need face-to-face treatment, our network of UTCs and MIUs can provide this for you.”

Full details of Dorset’s MIUs are available at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/miu.

If you think you require urgent medical attention, please call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for an initial assessment. If a person’s condition is life-threatening, call 999 without delay.