No reaction as hospital unit shut

Health bosses in Mid Wales have spoken of their shock after not one person raised concerns about the closure of their hospital's minor injuries unit.Montgomery Community Health Council (CHC) revealed that it had not received a single objection to last month's transfer of the minor injuries unit from Newtown Hospital to the town's GP practice, Newtown Medical Centre.

At a CHC meeting yesterday, members were told about the lack of response.

Chief officer John Howard said: "We have received no feedback on the matter whatsoever, which I have to say has come as a complete surprise.

"A lot of people seemed to be very shocked and totally against the transfer, so I would have thought they would have been in touch to voice their concerns."

Town doctors, who provide cover for inpatients at the hospital as well as the minor injuries unit, gave Powys Local Health Board (LHB) notice they would be withdrawing medical services from the hospital from January 8.

The LHB negotiated with the GPs to provide a minor injuries service at their Park Street surgery from that date.

Mr Howard said: "We haven't even had any feedback on how the patients are finding the new system at the surgery, so it's very disappointing."

He said he would be visiting the surgery next week to discuss the situation and would ask about the figures.

CHC member Ray Dowling said he was surprised at the lack of concern. "I thought there would have been an outcry," he said.

Alan Crisp, from Llanidloes, said he was concerned about the general operation of minor injuries units across the county.

He said: "People have no idea where to go for minor injuries treatment, they don't know when they are open or where they are based anymore.

"I know for a fact when people go to Llanidloes to seek medical attention for a minor injury they are sent to Newtown and more often than not to Welshpool or even Shrewsbury.

"Something urgently needs to be done."

Members agreed to ask LHB primary and community care director Andrew Powell to attend the next meeting so they can discuss their concerns.