Somerset hospital to close minor injuries unit overnight

The minor injuries unit will shut every day between 21:30 BST and 08:00 BST

The minor injuries unit at Paulton Memorial Hospital in Somerset is to be shut overnight.

Anyone needing after-hours treatment for injuries such as sprains and cuts will have to travel 11 miles to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

A six-month review of services identified 1,944 people had used the unit during the day whereas only 58 people had needed it overnight.

From 7 May, the unit will close between 21:30 BST and 08:00 BST.

'Busiest period'

The community hospital is jointly run by Sirona Care and Health and North East Somerset Emergency Medical Services.

Janet Rowse, Sirona's chief executive, said: "We are committed to maintaining the unit's on-going development and improvement and to making sure our most skilled staff are available to see the people who attend.

"This is why we are concentrating the times of opening to the busiest period, seven days a week, every day of the year."

A number of people have been consulted about the decision including GPs in the area, the Royal United Hospital, and Paulton Hospital's League of Friends.