ANGER OVER CLOSED INJURY UNIT
Campaigner questions continued closure of unit
QUESTIONS have been raised over the reasons for the continued closure of the minor injuries unit at Leek Moorlands Hospital.
The facilities at the Ashbourne Road complex have been closed since just before lockdown was introduced earlier this year.
Pam Wood – on behalf of Leek Health Campaign Group – wrote to Neil Carr, CEO of the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust asking for an explanation for the unit’s continued closure.
In his reply, Mr Carr said he was unable to give a reopening date for the Moorlands-based unit, but said the decision to close it was based on dwindling numbers of patients using the facility.
However, Ms Wood questioned the figure of only 654 people attending for treatment in March, as the unit was closed halfway through that month.
In February of this year, more than 1,000 people used the facility, which Ms Wood, right, highlighted that the minor injuries unit was still a “significant service”.
She said in her reply to Mr Carr: “We have been calling for the urgent reopening of the Minor Injuries Unit for several months. You have resisted these calls saying the matter is under regular review. “When asked to justify its continued closure you stated, in your letter of September 15, ‘ attendance fell month on month’ and that during March almost 3,000 people attended Haywood in comparison to 654 at Leek.
“This is a false comparison since this figure applies up to closure on March 19 – and this usage is equivalent to 1,067 people attending Leek had the unit not been abruptly closed.
“You also state that in February ‘just over 1,000 people attended the Leek unit’.
“By any account this is a very significant service – these are enormous numbers of people.
“There is no case to disrupt and relocate the Leek Minor injuries service, requiring in one month 1,000-plus people needing emergency treatment to travel a significant journey from one town to another, not in normal times and certainly not in the current pandemic – when we are continually told not to travel unnecessarily. “Notwithstanding that people are under stress and many struggle to get help with transport.
“As guardian of our local Health Services we have trusted you to act fully in the public interest.
“The facts make clear that the Leek Minor Injuries Service cannot remain closed and must reopen without delay.
“You are aware the Moorlands area is a distinct rural community of almost 100,000 people located some distance from the urban conurbation of Stoke-on Trent.
“We ask you once again, will you please review reopening this service which is essential and of critical importance for Moorlands people.”
In his letter, Mr Carr, right, had said: “The Trust’s position regarding the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) in Leek Moorlands Community Hospital continues to be that the service remains temporarily closed.
“The decision to temporarily close the service in March 2020 was based upon the significantly low number of people attending the unit for treatment.
“Our data shows that attendance fell month on month and by March 2020 attendance had more than halved.
“During March, almost 3,000 people attended Haywood Hospital’s Walk-in Centre in comparison to 654 at Leek MIU.
“As you are aware the Covid-19 pandemic has and continues to put significant pressure on health services and in response we have had to make difficult decisions to ensure that staff are assigned to the most critical services.
“I would like to assure you that I am committed to reopening the MIU as soon as it is appropriate to do so.
“However, we must take into account other factors including the potential for a second wave of Covid-19.
“Therefore, it is with regret that I am unable to provide a reopening date for the MIU.
“If a person finds themselves in a life threatening emergency they would require care and treatment from an Emergency Department. Locally this facility is based at the Royal Stoke Hospital.
“People with non-life threatening injuries should seek medical attention from Haywood Walk-in Centre in Burslem.
“Despite the challenging times which the NHS is currently experiencing we are committed to providing a positive patient experience.
“Patients who would like to share their experiences can do so via the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0300 790 7000 or via email at pals@mpft.nhs.uk
“I will endeavour to keep you updated in regards to the position of the Minor Injuries Unit.”