Minor injuries service to continue

Grantham Hospital’s minor injuries service is to continue.

The trial service launched in September 2016, based at the Kingfisher Unit, faced possible closure due to lack of use, something blamed on poor publicity for the service.

The current trial costs £130,000 a year, but a specially-employed nurse treats just five patients a month.

Yesterday, a meeting of the governing body of South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group decided to keep a revised service open.

The standalone minor injuries nurse service will cease but any patient with a minor injury will be able to use the existing out of hours service. The CCG will also improve public awareness of the service.

CCG chief executive John Turner cited patient concerns and campaigns from the district and county councils, plus Grantham councillor Ray Wootten and others.

He told the meeting that having a dedicated nurse was “not the wisest use of resources” and an “elegant and workable solution” would be to widen the remit of the out of hours service to include minor injuries.

Inquiries by the CCG and others revealed a need to increase awareness of the service . The CCG would also liaise with NHS 111 to educate users as to what injuries were most appropriate for the service.

CCG chief operating officer Clair Raybould said having minor injuries as part of the out of hours service would be “much better”. She also said it was ‘essential’ people use NHS 111 for it to decide the best form of treatment.

Lay member Andrew Middleton said using the out of hours service would give patients access to a broader and deeper range of skills.

CCG GP chairman Dr Dave Barker confirmed: “It means the patient’s access to minor injuries service will continue locally. It’s a potentially better service and far more cost effective and sustainable.”

Lay member Hilary Dodds said the current service, though useful, was “costly for a small number of patients.”

She also called the planned changes a “much better and cost effective solution.”

But she told the meeting many people will just walk in to the Kingfisher Unit, rather than use 111 first.

Mr Turner added: “We will work on how we will publicise it.”

The decision was welcomed by health campaigners.

Ian Selby said: “It’s good news in the sense that it is better than having nothing, but it needs greater publicity so the local residents know about the service. However, we must never lose sight that what we want and need more than anything is the return of our 24-hour A&E.”

Coun Ray Wootten called the decision 'excellent news'. He said: “It’s vital the service is there for our residents.”

Coun Linda Wootten added: “Brilliant news at last. Common sense prevails.”