Motion to reintroduce minor injuries unit wins cross party support

A minor injuries unit should be reintroduced at Chepstow Community Hospital, councillors have said.

A motion which won cross party support at a full council meeting, calls on Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) to bring back the unit, which it closed in 2011.

The health board closed the unit based on staff levels and patient demand, but says there are “no plans to revisit the decision”.

Put forward by councillor Armand Watts, the motion congratulates the health board for the opening of Grange University Hospital ahead of schedule.

“This council recognises and agrees with the heath board’s strategic reconfiguration of its minor injuries units back into our local community hospitals across Gwent,” it says.

“With that in mind, Monmouthshire County Council calls on ABUHB to reintroduce the minor injuries unit to Chepstow Community Hospital.”

Cllr Watts said it is time to review the decision due to new housing developments for hundreds of homes on both sides of the border, and the scrapping of the Severn Crossings tolls.

People in Chepstow have to travel 19 miles to their nearest minor injuries unit in Newport which Cllr Watts said is the “furthest point to travel for that specific service across Gwent”.

Council leader, Cllr Peter Fox, gave his support to the motion, describing Chepstow hospital as a “little jewel in the crown” which he said “could do so much more”.

Cllr Penny Jones, cabinet member for social care, said: “In light of the increased numbers and the population increase in Chepstow I think there is room for a change of heart. There’s an opportunity here for them to think again around how they can use that provision better for our community,” he said.

Liberal Democrat Linda Guppy said the hospital needed “better facilities for the community” but not a minor injuries unit.

A spokeswoman for the health board said: “The health board has no plans to revisit the decision made on the minor injury unit at Chepstow Community Hospital, and is providing minor injury services at Ystrad Mynach Hospital, Nevill Hall Hospital, the Royal Gwent Hospital and Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan in line with the agreed Clinical Futures plan.”

 

Article originally appeared on Free press.

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case

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