Injuries unit reopens but on reduced hours after covid scare
Added pressures on tests and walk-in centre
THE Minor Injuries Unit at Leek Moorlands Hospital reopened on Monday providing a nurse-led service for minor illness and injury.
However, due to the local surge in testing and added pressure with the local outbreak of Covid-19, the unit has reduced its hours.
The service will initially reopen from 9am to 5pm, seven days per week and provide an X-ray service, which will be open to appointments for outpatients and GP patients only.
Neil Carr, chief executive of Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), which provides the service, said: “We made a commitment to local residents to reopen the Minor Injuries Unit in line with the government’s easing of lockdown restrictions.
“Following the announcement from the Prime Minister that the lockdown restrictions would stay in place for another four weeks because of an increase in number of Delta variant cases, we were required to review the position.
“Even more so considering the local outbreak of the Delta variant in Leek. “Therefore, we have made a decision to open initially with reduced hours of 9am to 5pm.”
The outbreak of the Delta variant in Leek has resulted in local surge testing and a 10-day pop-up vaccination clinic. Mr Carr said: “In addition to the added pressure presented by the local outbreak, local urgent and emergency care services, including accident and emergency and the walk-in centre, are currently under significant pressure.
“Therefore, everyone is asked to ensure that they are attending the right place of care for their needs.” Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will keep the operating hours under review with the aim to reopen to full opening hours (8am to 8pm) as soon as appropriate to do so. Chairman of Leek Health Campaign Group, Pam Wood, said: “We are looking for the unit to be open for the full 12 hours a day as soon as possible. The Minor Injuries Unit is a vital service for the people of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands.”
The unit provides treatment for minor illness and injury including wounds needing stitches, rashes, ear infections, sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, bites and stings, minor head injuries, minor burns, sore throats and foreign bodies in the eye.
Urgent and emergency care services, including the walk-in centre, are under significant pressure
Neil Carr