Eastern Devon MP welcomes NHS review into Devon minor injuries units

Richard Foord, who is a strong advocate for community hospitals, has been concerned about the opening hours at Honiton Hospital’s minor injuries unit (MIU), following frequent closures, due to staffing issues in recent months.

Honiton Hospital is one of only two remaining community facilities that have minor injuries units in Eastern Devon, following service closures at Axminster, Seaton, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth Hospitals, around a decade ago.

The issue was discussed at a broad-ranging meeting with NHS Devon Chief Executive, Steve Moore and Acting Chief Financial Officer Kirsty Denwood, last Monday (27 January). The meeting was arranged following Richard’s concern for patient care, as the cash-strapped organisation is under the cosh to make swingeing budget cuts – £213.3m this year alone – in a bid to balance the books.

NHS Devon is one of three integrated care boards nationally subject to special “oversight” measures and has been monitored by the Recovery Support Programme at NHS England.

Richard said:
“It was a constructive meeting. We talked about the pressures, and the complex funding formula which seems to me to disadvantage rural and coastal areas like ours.  We also talked about the problems that dog NHS dentistry, which are national, but are particularly serious here in the south west of England.

"Steve reassured me that Honiton Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit is now on a more secure footing in terms of opening hours, with fewer instances of short-notice closures.”

Worsening health in all age groups and an ageing population has contributed to the pressure in Devon’s health services, as have significant staff vacancies, although recruitment and retention is now improving.

Richard added:
“We all rely on the NHS being effective at preventing serious illness, as well as stepping-in as a life-saving service. I remain concerned about cuts that must be made next year and the ability of the NHS to work effectively at preventing ill-health.

“I will be glad of the wider review of minor injuries services across the county if it results in Honiton Hospital MIU being put on a secure footing for the long-term.  I like to think that it might result in local people avoiding having to travel into Exeter unnecessarily, which puts additional pressure on the Emergency Department at the RD&E.”