COUNTY councillor John Smith has expressed his delight at the news that Evesham's minor injury unit will reopen.

The minor injury units (MIUs) at Evesham, Malvern and Tenbury community hospitals were temporarily closed in January with staff redeployed to help on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19.

But with pressure now easing, the units are planning to reopen to patients who are experiencing problems such as sprains, strains, small cuts or minor burns.

The Evesham and Malvern centres are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, April 6.

Evesham county Cllr John Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “It’s fantastic news. Both myself and my wife have been pushing this for a long time, but we understand the reasons for the closure with Covid, so I’m very pleased it’ll back up and running again.”

Cllr Smith said he was against the closure of the hospital.

“I understand why they closed it, but I’m a great believer that the minor injury units are not used to full capacity.

“I think a lot of people who go to Worcestershire Royal Hospital might not need to go and could be dealt with at the minor injury unit, so it’s great that it’s reopening.”

Malvern Town councillor Neil Morton, said: “It’s been missed while it’s been closed and it’s another positive sign that hopefully things are going to get back to as normal as they ever will be.

“It’s really good news.

“I’ve had a number of people enquire where they needed to go while it’s been closed so it has been missed, and it’s a really good resource for Malvern - it’s well used and it’s valued so it’s great news that it’s reopening again.”