Date announced for Malton MIU weekend reopening

Media release from Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has today announced that the minor injuries unit (MIU) at Malton Hospital will reopen on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 9am and 5pm with effect from Saturday 3 August.

This will result in the MIU being open during the day between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week, but remaining closed on evenings. 

The opening hours at the MIU were reduced in December 2012 following a decision by the former Primary Care Trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, to introduce a number of cost-saving measures in response to a challenging end of year financial situation.

In the run-up to taking over the responsibility for local health services in April 2013, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG gave a commitment to review these reduced hours and subsequently launched a period of consultation with local residents to hear their views.

Over 120 members of the public completed a survey which captured information about their use of the MIU and their views towards keeping it closed in the evenings and at weekends. A number of people also took the opportunity to speak face-to-face with members of the CCG through a number of drop-in sessions held across the Ryedale district.

In summary, the majority of people agreed that closing the MIU on evenings, when only small numbers of people access it, was a good idea. However many people felt that a service was essential at weekends particularly for treating sporting injuries.

Simon Cox, Chief Officer for NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to come to a decision that responds to the needs of local patients whilst still enabling us to make important savings by closing the MIU during the evening.

“As a CCG which has made clear its intentions to give people the opportunity to shape local services, I think this process has demonstrated our commitment to listening to peoples’ views and ensuring they form part of our decision making process.

“I’d like to thank anyone who has taken the time to share their views about the MIU.

“An important issue that was highlighted during the consultation was that many people are unsure of what the MIU is actually able to treat. I’d like to reiterate that the MIU is not the same as an A&E department and is designed to treat only minor injuries and ailments such as cuts, sprains and minor burns.

“We are looking at how we can raise awareness of what health services are available locally to ensure people are able to access the most appropriate service for their needs.”

For more information about NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG please visit www.scarboroughryedaleccg.nhs.uk

18 July 2013