The Down Community Health Committee has called on local MLA and Health Minister Jim Wells to intervene to restore the beds cut from the Downe Hospital this week by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
“The decision to reject the proposed closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at Bangor in response to community and political pressure in that area, was a correct one,” said Eamonn McGrady, Chairperson of the Down Community Health Committee.
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Local politicians and community health campaigners pictured outside the Down Civic Forum before a meeting with the South Eastern HSC Trust earlier this year have questioned why the Trust is removing beds from the Downe Hospital.[/caption]
“However,” he added, “there is an even more persuasive case for the retention of beds at the Downe and designated coronary care unit so we expect that the local MLA and Health Minister will also intervene here. There should be no cuts in frontline services, especially at the Downe. Many people believe that the ‘temporary’ cuts may prove not to be ‘temporary’ atall.
“When the Minister is intervening on that issue, perhaps he could also intervene to restore our 24-hour accident and emergency service, ‘temporarily’ closed almost a year ago, in the face of opposition from local hospital campaigners and politicians.
“Cross-community and cross-party political consensus is essential if our campaign to Save the Downe, our enhanced local hospital, is to succeed”, he added.
“As regards the car parking charges proposal now open for consultation, the Down Community Health Committee regards the proposals as contemptible. We do not believe that accessing NHS healthcare should have any cost to the end user and car park charges are unjustifiable, even on the congested, over-developed Ulster Hospital site.
“The launch of a consultation at this particular point in time has been greeted with derision by many in our local community,” he said.
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Wells Calls On Trust To Ensure Bangor Minor Injuries Unit Stays Open
Health and Social Care Minister Jim Wells has asked the South Eastern HSC Trust to ensure that Bangor Minor Injuries Unit stays open.
Explaining his decision, the Minister said: “The Health and Social Care Trusts have been in the unenviable position of trying to find substantial savings within a very short timeframe. Many of the proposals they brought forward in contingency plans are challenging and indeed some counter-strategic.
“I am, however, mindful that the winter months place greater demands on our Emergency Departments and acute hospitals. I have been considering carefully over recent days the activity levels of smaller hospitals and the assistance they offer the larger acute sites during busy periods.
“A significant amount of work has taken place regionally to strengthen performance at our Emergency Departments, and I wish to avoid where possible adding to the numbers coming through the front door of these Emergency Departments.”
Staff were informed personally by Chief Executive Hugh McCaughey and Nicki Patterson, Director of Nursing, Older People and Primary Care on Friday morning of the Minister’s request.
The Trust would therefore like to advise people in the Bangor catchment area that the opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit will remain 9am -5pm, Monday to Friday.
Bangor and Ards Minor Injuries Units deal with the following conditions:
* Sprains and strains
* Broken bones in the arm, foot and ankle
* Wound infections
* Minor burns and scalds
* Minor head injuries
* Insect and animal bites
* Minor eye injuries
* Injuries to the back, shoulder and chest.
Minor Injuries CANNOT treat:
* Chest pain
* Breathing difficulties
* Major injuries
* Stomach pains
* Gynaecological problems
* Pregnancy problems
* Allergic reactions
* Overdoses
* Alcohol related problems
* Mental health problems
* Conditions likely to require hospital admission
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