MINEHEAD Hospital's minor injuries unit will reopen overnight from Tuesday (May 6) despite rumours that the reinstatement could be delayed. The controversial closure of the unit between 11pm and 7am was overturned almost three weeks ago by health chiefs, who blamed the original decision on a shortage of emergency nurse practitioners. But this week Minehead businessman Bryan Leaker, who has been at the forefront of a campaign to reinstate 24-hour working at the unit, said he had been told by a health official in Bridgwater that it may not reopen as planned. However, an email from Andy Heron, chief operating officer at the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, to Mr Leaker confirmed the restoration of full services. Mr Heron thanked Mr Leaker for the opportunity to "scotch the rumour". "The MIU will definitely open on May 6," he said. Mr Leaker has previously welcomed the change of heart by health chiefs, which followed a public meeting attended by at least 300 people and concern raised by civic and community leaders. He said the closure, which health chiefs insisted was temporary, had evoked the passion of the community and warned that any attempt for further reductions in service levels would be strongly resisted. The reopening follows the decision by the trust to appoint a locum doctor to work in the Bridgwater minor injuries unit, where staff from Minehead have been relocated to cover a huge rise in demand.