The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Burnham-On-Sea Community Hospital has reopened seven days a week.
The facilities are now open from 10am to 6pm (last patient at 5.30pm).
It follows the successful recruitment of three additional emergency nurse practitioners, and the return of an additional staff member from maternity leave, which means a safe and consistent service can now be provided from the MIU every day of the week.
The restart of the weekend service follows the previous announcement of a temporary reduction in opening hours in October 2022 and following an interim review in May 2023.
“Burnham-On-Sea had been affected by a number of frequent, short notice and unplanned closures due to ongoing workforce shortages so the decision was made to consolidate teams and restrict opening hours at the units in Burnham-On-Sea to ensure a safe and consistent service can be maintained across the county,” said a spokesperson.
Hannah Coleman, Managerial Lead for Somerset’s minor injuries units, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “We’re really pleased to be able to once again open the Burnham on Sea MIU, seven days a week after successfully appointing a number of additional emergency nurse practitioners.”
“In addition, we’re really thrilled that we have a further emergency nurse practitioner trainee who has passed their training, and we have two more practitioners who are working towards their non-medical prescribing qualifications, which means that once qualified they will be able to prescribe medication as well as assessing and treating minor injuries and illnesses.”
“We’re really thankful for the support of our local community over the last year and for the continued hard work of the team during this time.”
More information and opening times on the seven minor injury units across Somerset can be found here: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/minor-injury-units/
The MIU service across Somerset is provided from seven sites, situated in community hospitals in Chard, Bridgwater, Burnham-On-Sea, Frome, Glastonbury, Minehead and Shepton Mallet. All units have access to x-ray, except Burnham-On-Sea.
The MIUs are run by Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) – clinicians specialising community urgent care who can independently manage a wide range of injuries and acute illness, these clinicians are supported by staff nurses and healthcare assistants.
The minor injury units see, assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions. Common examples include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Injuries and wounds
- Minor head injuries
- Soft tissue infections and bites.
- Emergency contraception.
- Chest infections
- Throat infections
- Eye injuries and infections
- Urinary infections
Patients with potential heart attacks, stroke, patients with altered consciousness, or those with head injuries who are on ‘blood thinners’ should attend an emergency department.
If you are not sure where to go, ring NHS 111 for help and advice and for emergencies, call 999.
In May 2022, health bosses pledged that Burnham-On-Sea Minor Injuries Unit would not be closed amid concerns that new community pharmacists would lead to the removal of some existing MIUs in the county.
