Wisbech MIU closure 'understandable'
That's according to the leader of Fenland District Council
Last updated 18th Jan 2021
The Leader of Fenland District Council has welcomed assurances that Wisbech Minor Injury Unit (MIU) will re-open as soon as possible following its temporary closure in response to COVID-19.
The NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced that the facility at the North Cambs Hospital will temporarily close to the public from today (18 January), to enable staff to be redeployed to provide vital additional capacity elsewhere in the local community.
Fenland District Council Leader, Cllr Chris Boden, said he supported all the efforts being made to focus resource on where it is most needed but hoped MIU services would resume in Wisbech as soon as practicably possible.
He said:
"With the number of COVID-19 patients requiring healthcare support increasing, I can understand the reasons for temporarily closing the MIU and redeploying staff to help strengthen the frontline response. However, the MIU provides an essential service for Fenland residents and I hope the facility can be reopened as soon as possible."
The advice for any patients with minor injuries is to think NHS 111 first. You can call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where trained clinical staff will be able to advise which service is more appropriate.
The Ely MIU is still open at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely and for anyone requiring emergency medical care, the A&E departments at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Peterborough City Hospital or Hinchingbrooke Hospital are available.
Dr Gary Howsam, Chair of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local GP, said:
"With increasing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases in our local area we are carefully reviewing all of our services and staffing requirements to ensure we can respond to the rising pressures we once again face.
"Temporarily closing Wisbech Minor Injury Unit, in addition to the continued temporary closure of Doddington Minor Injury Unit, is not a decision we have made lightly.
"We are incredibly thankful to the unit's staff for their willingness to take on new local roles in response to the pandemic.
"We will review our decision on a regular basis to ensure that we can reopen these facilities as soon as possible."