ONE of the two minor injuries units in South Meirionnydd that have been shut throughout the pandemic could reopen before the school holidays, the health board said, amid anger that the doors are still closed 16 months on.

The minor injuries units in Tywyn and Dolgellau were closed “temporarily” by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 - but they remain closed 16 months on.

This leaves injured people having to travel further, to MIUs at Alltwen in Tremadog, Bronglais in Aberystwyth or to an already stretched A&E.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said at the time that the closures were “to ensure there is a sufficient number of staff to care for patients on the wards within the community”.

The units remain closed, with the health board blaming “staffing issues”.

Ffion Johnstone, area director for the West of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We understand that the temporary closure of some of our minor injuries units during the pandemic has resulted in some people travelling longer distances in some instances, and we apologise for this.

“Our minor injuries units at Dolgellau and Tywyn hospitals were temporarily closed as part of our plans to manage the response to Covid-19 in our communities. Due to challenges with staffing the units currently remain closed.”

Tywyn councillor Mike Stevens called the ongoing closures “a dreadful state of affairs”.

Cllr Stevens said: “This is appalling. A dreadful state of affairs. Covid is not a reason, it’s an excuse.

“Tywyn is very busy at the moment as people can’t go on holiday abroad. In the summer it will be rammed, which we need for businesses, but that will increase the likelihood of people needing to use the minor injuries unit.”

The health board did, however, say they wanted to reopen either the Tywyn on Dolgellau unit before the school holidays.

Ms Johnstone added: “We are currently looking at options to try to reinstate one of our minor injuries units in South Meirionnydd in time for the summer holidays.”

But Cllr Stevens told the Cambrian News that he remains concerned.

He said: “I am concerned if they are saying one can reopen - it’s always Tywyn that misses out.

“I would urge Betsi to reopen Tywyn urgently as we are going to need it throughout the summer and I will be contacting them myself to tell them that.”

Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones, who also represents Tywyn, said: “I think this is a staffing issue and Covid created the problem.

“We miss the minor injury unit in Tywyn and would like it reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Safety still has to be the priority.”

Cllr Linda Morgan, who represents Dolgellau, said: “I hope they open the MIU in Dolgellau. They should not have closed it.

“It is central for many areas and easy to get to. It is very difficult for people to travel to Alltwen.

“We are going to be very busy over the next eight weeks and we need the MIU open.

“It is so unfair to expect people to travel so far when we have an excellent hospital in Dolgellau with qualified staff to deal with minor injuries.”