Five months after problems with the Island’s minor injury unit (MIU) started – health bosses have finally announced the full service is to be resumed.

Back in May, we reported how the unit was closed at Sheppey Community Hospital because of staff sickness.

Since then it has been a saga of opening and closing and patients being told to visit Sittingbourne’s Memorial Hospital, causing delays there.

Clinical services manager Gillian Sainsbury said she is now pleased to let residents know that the MIU will resume its full 9am to 9pm service, seven days a week, from October 1.

The 5pm to 9pm service will continue to be run by DMC Healthcare with the day-time service run by Kent Community Health NHS Trust.

Mrs Sainsbury added: “We apologise for the inconvenience that has been caused by the reduced service over the last few months.

“Steps have been put in place to reduce the risk of this happening again.

“We are now training more staff so they are able to deliver the very specific services that a nurse in a minor injury unit needs to be able to do.”

Jean Spain, of the Sheppey and Sittingbourne Patients’ Group, has welcomed the news but said people will still remain concerned that it might happen again.

She said: “It’s excellent news and we are delighted that is going to be the case.

“We want that situation to continue.

“It always seems it’s summer that is a problem so, while we are delighted, we are a little sceptical.”

The trust has also issued guidance about the services offered at the MIU and for what ailments people should and should not visit.

Minor nose bleeds, cuts, bites and stings, burns and scalds, infections, foreign bodies in ears and noses and minor eye conditions are among those things which can be treated.

More serious problems such as chest pain, abdominal pain, chronic diseases and pregnancy related issues are among the things which cannot be dealt with at Sheppey.

For a full list, see your local GP surgery.

Islanders will be able to put their questions to health staff as part of a session organised by Kent LINk, the local health watchdog.

Representatives from the NHS will be at Minster Working Men’s Club, Union Road, Minster, tonight (Thursday) from 6.30pm to 8pm.

Visitors will be able to find out more about a range of Swale-wide health provision concerns including the MIU closure, lack of speech therapists in the area and provision of diabetic services.

Jean Spain, LINk participant, said: “People in Swale have a number of concerns about health provision. This is their big chance to raise their concerned and to see how we can all help to solve these problems.”

• To book a place, contact Sylvia Stone at Kent LINk by emailing sylvia@kmn-ltd.co.uk or phone 01303 297050.