Cannock's minor injuries unit hours cut

Doctors on the cash-strapped Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group met yesterday afternoon where they agreed to slash the hours of the unit in a bid to save £750,000.

It was revealed during the meeting that 71 per cent of respondents to a consultation on the plans opposed a changed to the opening hours.

The centre is currently open from 8am to midnight but in future will operate between 10.30am to 6.30pm.

Initially health chiefs wanted to shut the unit but they changed their minds with revised plans to get GPs to run the service following a public outcry. Council leader George Adamson was among those who called for it to be saved.

CCG Chairman Dr Johnny McMahon told the meeting: "To do nothing is not a financially viable option."

Officials were also told that the service is used by on average six patients per night between 7pm and midnight.

Council leader George Adamson confronted the board over the reasons behind the reduction in hours and said: "The decision is financially not medically driven. Let's be honest about it."

The CCG is overspending by £9 million a year. Health bosses say the unit can take up to 20,000 patients a year but it is attracting only 16,414.

Of those, 76 per cent are able to be treated by a doctor or have to be sent to away to another hospital.

The minor injuries unit was opened in 2006 at Cannock Hospital.

Bosses at the CCG have also announced plans to launch a campaign so people can go to the right place for medical help.

CCG Chairman Dr Johnny McMahon said: "The CCG has listened carefully to the debates held throughout the consultation process and we believe that many of the matters raised have been addressed. These measures will ensure that the reduction in hours can be implemented safely and in an appropriate timescale to assure patients that access to high quality, safe services are maintained for the people of Cannock Chase. I would like to thank those members of the public and our stakeholders for their comments and feedback. The insight they have given us has been invaluable.

He added: "This is not the beginning of the end for the Minor Injuries Unit."

Councillor Adamson also blasted the board about the timing of mail drops regarding the changes. Leaflets will be delivered to homes across the borough after the first week in December, reaching people after the hours have changed.

However officials said information had been placed in as many public places as possible.