Anger at plans to change injury unit times at Llandudno Hospital

Jun 24 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

CAMPAIGNERS have reacted with fury to an announcement that from September, Llandudno Hospital’s minor injuries unit will be closed at night.

Llandudno Hospital Action Group (HAG) say they believe it is vital that the unit should remain open after the proposed 10pm closing time.

HAG spokesman Carol Marubbi said: “We don't agree with this at all, and said this at the hospital’s project board meeting on Tuesday. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a nurse led service it should still be open overnight. They say on some nights only one person is treated there, but it doesn’t matter if it’s just one person, that might be a life saved. We can’t and won’t support this and will fight it all the way.”

And she expressed disappointment that the curtailed hours had been announced yesterday (Wednesday) without further consultation with HAG.

“We were told at the project board that our views would be taken on board and that no firm decision had yet been taken, so I’m shocked they’ve made this public now,” she said.

A spokesman for the Betsi Cadwaldr Local Health Board which runs the hospital said the change of opening hours of the injuries unit was down to staff shortages.

“The current shortage of medical staff and an audit which shows minimal levels of attendance after 10pm, mean that to enhance the level of service provided at the MIU, its hours of opening will be changed, with effect from September.

“From this time, The MIU will be open between 8am and 10pm and will be medically led. This means that a doctor will be available at the unit between these hours, which has not been possible to provide every day for the last 18 months or so.

“Emergency admissions will be accepted at the hospital until 6pm, seven days a week. After this time, patients will be diverted to the local district general hospital for their immediate and safe care before being transferred to Llandudno Hospital once they are medically stable and it is safe to do so. Both changes to the MIU and to the management of emergency admissions are supported by clinical staff who believe that these changes will improve patient safety.”

The changes to the accident unit opening hours come on the back of positive news for the hospital with the project board predicting a number of new services being offered there.

Amongst the proposals under consideration are the development of a women’s centre, the introduction of rehabilitation services, and more outpatient, day case and diagnostic facilities. Further work will also be undertaken to develop ways of improving mental health services within the hospital.

“The other proposals for the hospital are fantastic and we’re very happy that there is so much positive stuff coming out but we can't accept the downgrading of the MIU service,” added Miss Marubbi.