ANEURIN Bevan Health Board has announced there are no plans to reopen Chepstow’s Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) despite an ongoing campaign by residents.

Labour AM candidate Catherine Fookes wrote to the Aneurin Bevan Health Board last week to express the worries of patients in Chepstow.

In her letter, published in the Beacon last Wednesday (2nd March) she reminded the board that the closure of the unit in 2011 prompted the presentation of a 2,500 signature petition. She also noted that patients currently have to travel 20 miles to the Royal Gwent or 29 miles to Nevill Hall, Abergavenny to be seen.

Yesterday (8th March) the Aneurin Bevan health board said there are no plans for the minor injuries unit to re-open.

A spokesperson from Aneurin Bevan said: “The health board previously reviewed all minor injury services across Gwent in partnership with Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council during 2011/ 12.

“This review was initiated due to very low numbers of patients using services in some locations and therefore staff were not seeing enough patients to keep their clinical skills up to date and continue to provide a service which met national standards.

“This review resulted in a decision by the board to close the minor injury unit in Chepstow Hospital in 2012.

“Following the closure, the health board monitored the impact of this closure.

“It was demonstrated that as a result there was not a major increase in the number of patients accessing the unit in the Royal Gwent Hospital.

“It would appear that patients have either managed their own care or sought advice appropriately from their general practitioner, optometrist or community pharmacist.

“The health board does not have any plans to reopen the minor injuries unit in Chepstow Hospital.”