Trust is ‘committed’ to Minor Injuries Unit reopening when safe

But campaigners say ‘this is not a satisfactory service for Leek’

MOORLANDS councillors have been informed that there is a commitment to reopening Leek’s Minor Injury Unit.

The news was given to councillors at last week’s meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s health overview and scrutiny panel.

However, the number of people attending the unit was challenged.

In a presentation to councillors, Jennie Collier, managing director, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent Care Group, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Minor Injuries Unit was temporarily closed in March 2020 based on the low number of people attending the service and staffing challenges.

“Data demonstrates attendance fell month-onmonth and had halved by March.

“The Trust is committed to reopening the Minor Injuries Unit when it is safe to do so.

“People in North Staffordshire with minor non lifethreatening injury and illness should get treatment from Haywood Hospital Walk-in Centre.

“Anyone with life-threatening injury or illness should attend the emergency department at Royal Stoke University Hospital.”

Ms Collier added that a number of clinics are proposing to move from Leek Health Centre into Leek Moorland Community Hospital during this month. These include:

▶ Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy; ▶ Continence service;

▶ Looked After Children;

▶ Orthoptist (provided by University Hospitals of North Midlands)

“Moves will optimise the outpatient clinics within the hospital and support improved utilisation of estate with the future plans to incorporate services into the hub,” added Ms Collier.

“All services in the Moorlands have now been restored. However, there is some backlog. We are working hard to resolve this.

“To support the health care system, MPFT created capacity for Covid-19 positive patients in community hospitals.

“To date these beds have not been required. This capacity remains in place and will be used only if required for Covid-19 positive patients.”

Challenging the figures, Councillor Pam Wood, who is also the chairman of the Leek Health Campaign group, said that it was stated that the number of people attending Leek minor injury unit had fallen.

She said: “There was 1,000 people a month going to the Leek MIU. This is not a small number. In March the figures were lower but the unit was closed halfway through the month, otherwise more than 1,000 people would have used it again.

“Now people have to go to the Haywood Hospital. Those going by bus have to go to Hanley first.

“It depends on the service but you could have to walk three miles from Holden Bridge.

“Have you done a risk assessment for people getting to Haywood Hospital? This is not a satisfactory service for Leek.

“Staff have been moved away from Leek and now many have left the Trust.”

Councillor Charlotte Atkins said that the MIU should be opened as soon as possible.

She said: “You closed down the Leek MIU because of a dip in figures. I would like to see the monthly figures.

“You are now telling people to go to the Haywood Hospital, which takes two buses or expensive taxis.

“People will not go to the Haywood or the Royal Stoke if Leek is closed. Then their condition will worsen.”