A temporary closure will be introduced at the Minor Injuries Unit in Paulton from Monday 18th January as frontline clinical staff are redeployed to care for the rising number of patients requiring treatment for Covid-19.

Paulton MIU will be temporarily closed for NHS 111 appointments and will suspend other services.

The closure has been introduced on a strictly temporary basis so staff can be redeployed to provide care where it is needed most. They will be monitored with a view to reopening the units as soon as it is feasibly possible and safe to do so.

Patients with minor injuries should visit the NHS 111 online or telephone service. This will provide advice on where to go for the best care for their symptoms.

Those who feel they need a GP appointment should call their local GP practice and are likely to be offered a phone or video consultation in the first instance, unless a face-to-face appointment is absolutely necessary.

No-one with Covid-19 symptoms should attend any medical setting unless explicitly directed to do by the NHS 111 service or a 999 call operator.

Of course, if you feel your symptoms genuinely require emergency treatment, you should always seek help from your nearest hospital.

Tracey Cox, Chief Executive of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BSW CCGs) said:“Our Minor Injuries Units in Chippenham, Paulton and Trowbridge were temporarily closed during the first peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in April, but were opened up again during the summer as soon as it was safely possible.

“We have taken the decision to temporarily close Paulton and Trowbridge MIUs

again so our dedicated and hardworking staff can help to look after the rising number

of people requiring treatment for Covid-19.

"I would once again like to assure local people that these new arrangements have

been put in place as a temporary measure and will be reviewed on an ongoing

basis.”

Julia Clarke, Interim Managing Director of Virgin Care in Bath and North East

Somerset, which runs the MIU at Paulton Hospital said: “Given the mounting pressures on our health and care system, we have taken the decision to redeploy our crucial front line clinical staff to help care for the rising number of Covid-19 patients across our area.”