Town council calls for meeting over minor injury units closures

Civic leaders in Ross-on-Wye are demanding health bosses meet with them after they decided to close the local minor injuries unit over the winter once again.

Civic leaders in Ross-on-Wye are demanding health bosses meet with them after they decided to close the local minor injuries unit over the winter once again.

Ross town councillors unanimously backed a motion this week denouncing the lack of consultation prior to the unit’s closure at Ross Community Hospital.

This is the third consecutive winter in which staff have been relocated from the minor injury units at Leominster and Ross to help cope with the extra pressure at Hereford County Hospital.

More than 2,700 Rossians signed a petition to keep the MIU open which was presented to Wye Valley NHS Trust managing director Jane Ives in February.

But despite the public outcry health bosses did not consult publicly about this year’s closure.

Councillor Phil Cutter said the health trust’s structure needed scrutiny.

“The decision has already been made and this is the problem,” he said.

“We, the public and county councillors should always be consulted.

“I find it a problem, you say these things but nobody actually listens.”

He said he was seriously concerned that many people will struggle to get to Hereford.

“If they get there they have horrendous car parking charges to pay.

“It’s no joke for people who are tight on cash.”

A trust spokesman said bosses are happy to meet councillors to discuss the temporary closure.

“The decision was made in the interests of patient safety and was not made lightly.

“To give some context – during the last year there has been a nine per cent increase in the number of people attending the Emergency Department at Hereford County Hospital.

“Compared to 12 months ago, it is now seeing an extra 5,000 patients a year – a total of 60,950.

“In comparison, the Minor Injury Unit at Ross Community Hospital sees around one patient an hour. This requires an emergency nurse practitioner to be at the hospital.

“With the increase in attendances already reaching record levels, the usual winter pressures have already begun and as part of its planning, the Trust decided to close the MIUs to allow the staff to provide care where it is most needed – treating very sick people at Hereford County Hospital.

“There are a number of alternatives to a visit to hospital when minor injuries or ailments need treating – including NHS 111, GP appointments and seeking advice at local pharmacies.

“These alternatives are sufficient outside of the MIU’s daily opening hours and at weekends when it is not open.

“Any long-term changes to the provision of services would involve extensive consultation and engagement with stakeholders.”