Latest news with #MIUs
Powys County Times
31-07-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys Patients 'treated as a second-class citizens' says MS
Patients have been 'treated as a second-class citizens' in A&E and face two-year operation waits says a Powys MS. Brecon and Radnorshire MS, James Evans, slammed Powys Teaching Health Board's (PTHB) decision to continue with reduced opening hours for Minor Injury Units (MIUs) in Brecon and Llandrindod Wells. 'I fail to see how the Health Board's evaluation found 'positive impacts',' said Mr Evans. 'I hear of people having to travel out of county, considerable distances to access A&E departments, waiting hours and hours, only to be then treated as a second-class citizen because they are 'out of area'. 'The so-called improvements in service reliability and patient safety quoted by PTHB has only improved because the MIUs are closed. 'And any cost saving as a result will be nullified by the cost of other Health Boards treating Powys patients in their A&E departments.' The decision to extend the 'temporary changes' to the units was made in a meeting of Powys Teaching Health Board earlier today. It was heard that the decision had reduced staffing issues at the unit and reduction in the reliance on agency staff. Chief Executive of Powys Teaching Health Board, Hayley Thomas confirmed that further 'unpalatable' decisions were being considered in other area as the board tries to reduce its budget deficit. This financial pressure has also seen the board vote in March to intentionally increase wait times for Powys patients being treated in England. 'The decision made a few months ago, to delay Powys patients' treatment in English hospital settings is already starting to cause serious suffering and harm to patients,' added Mr Evans. 'I am hearing from constituents who, prior to this disastrous policy decision, were expecting to have operations in August, but instead they are now receiving letters telling them they will now likely wait two years for the operation. 'This is two years in pain waiting for a knee or hip operation, not being able to work, seeing their mobility reduced. All because of the Health Board's finances, not because of capacity issues or lack of nurses. 'Having no major hospital of our own in Powys, we cannot afford to lose any of our healthcare services here in Powys and I urge the Health Board to look again at our MIUs and expand the services they can offer.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Executive Medical Director at Powys Teaching health Board, Kate Wright said the recent changes had 'improved outcomes' She said: 'Our priority is always to provide care that is safe, effective, and compassionate. 'The evaluation shows that these changes have helped improve patient outcomes and reduce delays in care. 'We will continue to monitor the impact closely, learning from the experience of patients and staff.'
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
New Kerry medical facility sparks town tension – ‘Killarney makes no sense'
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Daly tabled a motion at a recent Tralee MD meeting when he asked the council to meet with management at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) to discuss plans for the proposed MIU in the town. Such a facility would cater for the rising population in Tralee and help ease pressure at UHK's Accident & Emergency Unit where patients are waiting unreasonable amounts of time for treatment. According to the HSE website, MIUs treat non-life-threatening cases that are unlikely to require admission to hospital. They are designed to help many of the injuries that people go to the emergency department with – such as broken bones, dislocations, and minor burns. Usually, MIU's will offer treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care. Cllr Daly demanded an update on the matter saying reports of the MIU going to Killarney is unacceptable given the larger population in Tralee and its environs. 'This is a huge issue for the town. I've heard reports that this, possibly, is going to be located in Killarney rather than in Tralee,' he said. 'I don't know how this can happen when the facts and figures show that 70 per cent of the people using A&E are living in and around the Tralee area, North Kerry, and West Kerry. It makes no sense to bring it to Killarney,' Cllr Daly said. He explained that if a new MIU were based in Killarney, it would only result in doubling the journey for patients in cases where they require ongoing hospital treatment. 'They would only be coming back to Tralee again if their minor injuries are considered serious enough that they must use A&E. Where and when was this decision made? What can be done about it?' Cllr Daly asked. Tralee MD management said this is a matter for consideration by the elected members. Cllr Daly's motion was seconded by Cllr Deirdre Ferris.
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Call to reinstate minor injury units in two Herefordshire towns
A campaign has begun to reopen minor injury units (MIUs) at two community hospitals amid A&E pressures at a main Liberal Democrats protested in 2018 against MIU closure at the town's Community Hospital, with Leominster's MIU shutting at about the same time - with both moves initially a temporary Dem Ed O'Driscoll is now asking councillors - including those on Herefordshire Council - to back the call to bring back the units. Wye Valley Trust, which runs the sites, said it was "aware of the motion". In January, fewer that two in three, 64%, of A&E patients at Hereford County Hospital were seen within four hours, according to NHS November and February, a quarter of ambulances waited more than an hour to hand over patients to the department.O'Driscoll's motion said that previously, Herefordshire's market town community hospitals offered "accessible and efficient urgent care to local residents, while reducing strain on the County Hospital".There was still "huge affection" for the local service in Ross, as well as "support from senior medical staff" for his proposal to restart it, he added. 'No-brainer' Ledbury Community Health Centre continues to provide an MIU service, and Bromyard Community Hospital never had such Dem group leader in Ross-on-Wye Terry James said reopening the closed MIUs was "a no-brainer", adding: "I hope that all political parties on Herefordshire Council will join us in calling on the NHS to sort this out."Jenny Bartlett, Green councillor for Leominster East in which the town's Community Hospital lies, said she was "pleased to see that there is now a motion". An official inspection last year found demand for treatment from both walk-ins and ambulances at County Hospital was "huge and increasing", she added. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
