THE MINOR Injuries Unit at Solihull hospital is now closed overnight as health chiefs redeploy medical staff.
From 10pm, the Solihull MIU at Solihull Hospital will be closed until 7am.
Daytime patients will continue to be seen.
A spokesman for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: “The NHS is currently facing an unprecedented situation regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
“Due to the very low number of patients attending the Solihull MIU between 10pm and 7am (less than ten people), the decision has been made to temporarily close this service between these hours.
“This means that the staff who currently work at Solihull MIU can be redeployed to other accident and emergency departments. This is important and helps us to maintain safe staffing levels, due to increasing numbers of NHS staff who are self-isolating, due to the recent national advice.”
Healthwatch Solihull advised people with minor injuries at night to phone 111 for advice, use the Ask A&E app via www.uhb.nhs.uk/ask, go to the MIU at 7am, or in cases of life-threatening situations such as loss of consciousness, persistent chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or severe allergic reactions, go to accident and emergency at Heartlands Hospital.
