A MINOR injuries unit is to temporarily close overnight due to staffing issues.

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Llandrindod Wells Memorial Hospital will close at midnight every night from Wednesday, February 1 until February, 28.

The unit, which normally operates 24 hours a day with one emergency nurse practitioner to cover in-patients and those attending at the MIU during the early hours, will re-open each day at 7pm.

Powys Teaching Health Board has apologised for any inconvenience and is advising those with minor injuries to call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 in the first instance or visit www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk.

It says on average two people per night visit its MIUs between 8pm and 8am with around two people a week attending between midnight and 8am.

Alternative overnight centres include A&E departments at Nevill Hall Hospital Abergavenny, the County Hospital, Hereford as well as Bronglais Aberystwyth and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

There are also 24 hour MIUs at Brecon’s War Memorial Hospital and at Welshpool Hospital.