MP Graham Stuart and the Mayor of Beverley Cllr Robert Begnett are urging locals to protest against the possible closure of the East Riding Community Hospital Minor Injuries Unit even though it already looks likely to escape the NHS axe.
Plans for closures of the region’s MIUs are currently being debated by the East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, and with millions of pounds needed to be saved, at least three of the region’s six units will be closed.
Currently East Riding CCG have four options that have put out to public consultation. Of the four options the East Riding Community Hospital in Beverley features in three of them.
These options are to keep open;
- Beverley and Goole
- Beverley and Bridlington
- Beverley, Bridlington and Goole
- Bridlington and Goole
When asked about the real risks faced by the residents in the Beverley a spokesperson for East Riding CCG told HU17.net;
“At the moment there are six minor injury units (MIU) across the East Riding, these are at Beverley, Bridlington, Goole, Driffield, Hornsea and Withernsea. All six MIUs offer slightly different services and have different opening times.”
“We are proposing to introduce urgent care centres which would provide a wide range of services, open for 16 hours a day, 365 days a year. These would offer the same treatment and care whichever centre you visit, reducing the need for multiple visits or visits to alternative sites.”
However, even though Beverley seems highly unlikely to face closure, Mr. Stuart is still urging people to rally around their local MIU this Saturday from 11AM, speaking ahead of the protest he said;
“It would make no sense whatsoever for Beverley’s Minor Injuries Unit to close but that is one of the options East Riding CCG are considering as we speak.”
“Let’s send a big message this weekend that these plans must be rethought.”
