Healthcare changes which will see the temporary closure of some minor injury units (MIUs) in Dorset will not affect the Bridport site.

From Tuesday, January 4 Dorset HealthCare is temporarily closing its MIUs in Blandford, Portland and Sherborne (the Yeatman Hospital).

The temporary changes, to be reviewed at the end of March, are being made to ensure the services are safe and reliable through the winter months following existing staffing difficulties made considerably more challenging by Covid-19 related absences.

It is stressed that Bridport MIU will continue operating as usual.

Jane Elson, Dorset HealthCare’s Service Director for Integrated Community Services, said: “This is a temporary change and an essential one. As we continue to respond to the pandemic these changes will help us manage the current impacts of Covid-19 while still providing good access to MIU services across the county. We have thought carefully about these changes and they are being made in line with where we are seeing the greatest and the least demand for these services."

The planned changes come following a previous change to the way the public are asked to access MIU services.

If a member of the public has an ailment or injury that requires urgent care, they are now asked to call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk in the first instance. 111 staff will assess the person’s needs and make sure they get the best treatment at the right time, which might include booking an appointment at an MIU.

All of the MIUs are now bookable services. If a person turns up unannounced at an MIU, they will be assessed but could be directed elsewhere or given an appointment later that day or the next.

For anything life-threatening, people should always call 999 for immediate assistance.

As of Tuesday, January 4 the MIU at Bridport Hospital will be open 9am-6pm Monday to Sunday.