NOTICES were hurriedly put up on the doors of the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) in Ross on Wye at the start of last week to announce that the unit has been 'temporarily'closed, with patients being advised to use their local GPs, pharmacies, or even to travel to the Asda supermarket in Hereford.

The closure, from Monday January 6, is being blamed on 'winter pressures being faced by the trust', and will also apply to the Leominster MIU. In a statement the Trust said: "The Hospital MIUs, run by Wye Valley NHS Trust, have been temporarily closed, with immediate effect for a brief period. This will boost the resources at Hereford County Hospital's accident and emergency department enabling the trust to continue to see and treat patients, and care for the increased number of patients requiring admission to acute hospital.

"There are a number of other NHS services available to local residents including community pharmacies, GP surgeries, and the Asda walk-in medical centre in Belmont Road, Hereford, which is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week."

It adds: "For urgent medical help that is not life threatening, the public can call NHS 111".

Derek Smith, Chief Executive at Wye Valley NHS Trust commented: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause and we will reopen the Minor Injuries Units as soon as possible.

"We would also like to reassure the public that the safety of our patients is our priority and the decision to redeploy staff from the MIUs to the County Hospital's A&E department was not taken lightly. Alternative NHS services are available locally for people requiring advice or treatment for minor injuries or illness."

No reopening date for the MIUs has been announced. A spokesman for the Trust said that the 'winter pressures' on the Trust's hospitals included slip and trip injuries and, in the recent damp conditions, elderly patients with breathing difficulties.

Details are available on the Wye Valley NHS Trust website, at http://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk">www.wyevalley.nhs.uk