Minor Injury Unit at the Hallamshire Hospital temporarily closing so staff can support the COVID-19 outbreak
Sheffield Teaching Hospital's Minor Injury Unit (MIU) located at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital will close temporarily from 8pm on Thursday 9th April to allow clinical staff at the Unit to provide extra support as part of the increasing COVID-19 outbreak.
Patients who have minor illness or injuries such as cuts, abrasions or wounds will still be able to get the care they need but it will be from Broad Lane Walk-In Centre in the city. If the injury is a suspected broken bone the Northern General A&E will be available to assess and manage the injury. The Unit will re-open once the outbreak is over.
Dr David Hughes, Medical Director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:
"Since the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing restrictions, we have seen a huge drop in the numbers of people using the service and on some days there have been hardly any patients attending. This is at the same time as our hospitals are seeing increasing numbers of patients with the virus. We have not taken this decision lightly but given our increasing need for experienced nurse practitioners in the main hospitals it makes sense to temporarily close the Unit so that the staff can support other areas of the hospital where demand is higher. Broad Lane Walk In Centre has also seen a reduction in attendances and so they are more than able to provide the additional care for the majority of people who would normally have gone to the Minor Injuries Unit. We hope people will understand and support the decision we have taken and I can reassure people the Unit will re-open once the outbreak is over. We are simply trying to do the right thing for our sickest patients during this unprecedented time."
For patients who do have a minor injury or illness, attend Broad Lane Walk In Centre which is open from 8am to 10pm 365 days a year. No appointment is needed, people can just turn up. There is no on site x-ray facility at the Broad Lane Walk-In Centre so people with suspected broken bones should attend the A&E department at the Northern General Hospital. If you are still unsure of which service is right for you, NHS 111 can help. Use the NHS 111 online service available here https://111.nhs.uk - only telephone 111 if you can’t find the help you need online. For more information locally on the right service to visit when you need urgent care, check out the new website here: www.sheffieldurgentcare.co.uk.
Signposting to Broad Lane Walk In Centre will be available at the Unit over the next week to help patients to get the care they need.
For more information about this media release please contact: Communications team, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on: sth.allcommunicationsteam@nhs.net.
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