Tenbury’s Minor Injuries Unit has suffered six days of temporary closures in August alone due to a requirement for staff to be operating elsewhere.

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust unit closed its doors on August 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 13 due to “several factors, including staff absence, in the context of ongoing staffing challenges at other minor injury units in Worcestershire,” said an NHS spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the trust “recognise the concern” this has caused, acknowledges how “disappointing” the closure is to Tenbury residents, and want to reassure the community that we are exploring a range of options to reduce the need for occasionally having to close Tenbury, “our quietest minor injury unit”, to relocate staff elsewhere in the county.

“Tenbury MIU sees an average of two to three patients a day, whereas our units elsewhere in Worcestershire typically see around 31 patients each day. Anyone in need of urgent minor injury treatment should contact NHS 111 who will direct you to the most appropriate service for your need."