Malton Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit set for reprieve
Malton Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit looks set to earn a reprieve - much to the delight of local campaigners.
The NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will recommend the unit re-opens on weekends when it meets with the Governing Body of Malton Hospital on Wednesday.
However, it is also recommending the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is closed on weekday evenings as a review found that only six people accessed the service on average each day.
The move follows a decision by the York and North Yorkshire Primary Care Trust in November to temporarily close the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) on evenings and weekends in response to its worsening financial deficit.
The review carried out by the CCG, which is due to take over responsibility from the PCT in April, found that local residents viewed the MIU as an “essential health service” who were particularly concerned about its closure on weekends, especially by those who take part in sporting activities.
The CCG also believes the way the MIU is staffed may also change, with possibly more GP-led services in the mornings and a specialist nurse-led service in the afternoon.
This staffing mix, says the CCG, along with the continued reduced opening hours on an evening, would help make the necessary savings whilst still responding to the needs of patients.
Dr Simon Cox, the Accountable Officer for the CCG, said: “We feel this proposal responds to the concerns raised by local residents whilst still helping our CCG to make essential cost savings.
“The feedback from patients has largely focussed on the closure of the MIU at weekends. Coupled with our evidence that the MIU is well used during the day at weekends, we feel it is important that we look at ways to reinstate the service at these times.
“As a patient-focussed organisation and with a commitment to involving those affected by change in the decisions we make, we are proposing to hold a four-week engagement period for patients to tell us what they think of this proposal. This will involve a survey and a number of drop-in events to give people the opportunity to speak with us about our plans.
“We recognise the need to work closely with partners, such as local GPs and York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to develop this proposal and whilst discussions are still at an early stage, we are optimistic that we can find a pragmatic solution.”
Lindsay Burr, a member of Ryedale District Council who led the campaign to save the MIU with Dr Mike Lynch, the senior partner at Derwent Practice, said: “I can’t be more thrilled to learn that our Minor Injury Unit has been recommended for a reprieve.
“We were in a grim situation four months ago with not much hope. However due to my campaign, which was supported by Dr Lynch and 10,000 residents of Ryedale we seem to have made the powers that be think seriously about this very important facility.”
“Of course the proposals need to be sanctioned at the board meeting but it seems that they have seen sense and people power has overcame adversity
“It just shows what can be done when you really believe in fighting for something.”
*WHAT DO YOU THINK? Email andrew.pitt@yrnltd.co.uk with your comments
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Weather for Malton
Saturday 18 May 2013
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