Decision due on closure of North Yorks hospital unit (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Decision due on closure of North Yorks hospital unit

12:58pm Monday 5th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

HEALTH officials are to announce the future of a service for patients with minor injuries by the end of the year.

NHS North Yorkshire and York planned to cut the opening hours of the minor injury unit (MIU) based at the Lambert Hospital, Thirsk.

The plan was dropped after public criticism and the unit is open from 6pm to 8am.

Figures released by NHS North Yorkshire and York show that the service is used by just 1.3 people per week.

If the unit is closed temporarily it is felt that staff can provide further treatment to more dependent ward patients.

A meeting has been held about the scheme attended by North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services and NHS North Yorkshire and York.

Janet Probert is the managing director of North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services.

She said: "Members of the public raised a number of issues which will now be considered as part of a much wider review of minor injury services in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

"The outcomes of this review will be made available by the end of the calendar year.

"It was a very useful meeting and provided the opportunity for everyone concerned to openly discuss their views with regards this temporary closure.

"I would like to reassure everyone in the area that during the temporary closure of overnight MIU services at the Lambert Hospital, a range of alternative and still local MIU services will still be available.

"Patients can contact their GP out of hours number, call NHS Direct on 0845-46-48, or in more serious cases access services from the Friarage Hospital’s accident and emergency department."

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)