Longer opening hours to begin at Trowbridge MIU months ahead of schedule
Extended opening hours at Trowbridge’s Minor Injuries Unit are to be introduced ahead of schedule, meaning residents will soon have access to a walk-in service that is open until 8pm every night of the week.
From Monday 3 November, Trowbridge MIU, which is based within the town’s current community hospital, will see its opening hours extended to cover the almost-12-hour period between 8.30am and 8pm.
Plans had previously been in place for the longer opening hours to come into effect after the service had completed its move across the road to the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre, which is due to open in early 2026.
However, following discussions with the local council, and after listening to feedback from members of the public, HCRG Care Group, which runs the MIU, offered to introduce the extended hours early, which will bring the service’s opening times back in line with what was in place prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Caroline Holmes, Interim Executive Director of Place for Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring extended opening hours to Trowbridge’s MIU much sooner than we had originally anticipated.
“Reinstating the extended opening hours means that same-day care in Trowbridge will shortly be back to where it was pre-pandemic, which we know is something that will be greatly welcomed by many in the local community.
“Improving people’s access to services that are closer to home is a fundamental theme of the government’s long-term vision for the NHS, and we are proud that Trowbridge, with its new integrated care centre firmly on the horizon, is leading the way in demonstrating what truly modern health and care can and should look like.”
Val Scrase, Regional Director – South West, HCRG Care Group, said: “As the new community services provider for Wiltshire, we’re delighted to be able to extend the hours of the centre earlier than planned, particularly as we head into the busy winter months.
“This will help to reduce pressure on local A&E departments and make sure more people can get the care and support they need closer to home.”
Trowbridge Community Hospital’s MIU is one of the town’s most widely-used healthcare services, and can provide help and support to people when their condition, while in need of attention, is not serious enough to be classed as an emergency, such as sprains and strains, infected wounds and minor head injuries.
The service is one of many that will soon be moving to the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre, which is currently under construction on land adjacent to the existing community hospital building.
When fully up and running, the new centre will be a tangible example of a 21st century health and care service, and one that brings together teams from different provider organisations, who will work under the same roof to provide those coming through the door with a more coherent, seamless and joined-up patient experience.
Many of the services in the new centre, including the minor injuries unit, will be provided by HCRG Care Group, which was appointed in 2024 to work with the local NHS, as well as other partner agencies, in transforming the region’s community-based care.
Further information about the role of HCRG Care Group, along with more details on the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre, can be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.