Health bosses are being asked to give 'clear and unambiguous signals' that NHS services at Altrincham General Hospital are 'there to stay'. The call has come from the chair of Trafford council's health scrutiny committee, Coun Michael Whetton.
He made his comments at a council meeting on Wednesday (October 12) after being told this week that the phased reopening of the hospital's minor injuries unit (MIU) - planned January - was being delayed yet again. Treatment for injuries like broken limbs at the MIU was suspended in November 2021 because of a lack of emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs).
At the last health scrutiny committee meeting Coun Whetton urged health bosses to speed up the reopening of the MIU to a seven-day-a-week service as soon as possible. Coun Whetton told last night's council meeting: "The plan [for the phased reopening of the MIU] has been overtaken by events elsewhere and now stands to be delayed until some time in the future while more review work is undertaken.
"We are very concerned about the continued closure of the MIU. We see the message that this is sending out to the community and creates concern as to whether the ongoing other uses of the Altrincham General Hospital site.
"We have called for the NHS to reopen the MIU as speedily as possibile and to give a clear and unambiguous signal that the rest of the hospital's services are there to stay."
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Whetton said the 'point of concern' about the other uses of the hospital was 'the perception that is out there in the community'.
"The longer the MIU is not operating the more traction it gives to the fear that the NHS doesn't want to stay in Altrincham hospital.
"I am exasperated. I understand the problems about current staffing, but this is taking a long time. I think it needs a firmer resolve to get the MIU operating again and in doing so it might give a strong message in the community that the hospital is here to stay."
He said that the fear was 'if you see something closed, are they trying to prove it's not needed?'.
ENPs were diverted to Wythenshawe Hospital at the height of the pandemic and are much sought-after professionals in the NHS.
A month ago, the health scrutiny committee was told by representatives of Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT), which runs the hospital, of 'imminent' plans to reopen the MIU two days a week following a recruitment campaign.
They said that if staff can be retained, it would increase to four days' opening a week from January and revert to seven days in the summer of 2023.
Councillors and community campaigner Judie Collins, who was allowed to address the meeting, expressed concern that opening the MIU two days a week would potentially confusing to more vulnerable members of the community and 'wouldn't know it is there'.
Naomi Ledwith, commissioning director for Trafford at NHS Greater Manchester, said: “We recognise and understand frustrations felt by Altrincham residents and will be working with people in Trafford over the coming months to ensure that urgent care services safely meet the needs of the borough’s population, and those who use its services.
"If people are unsure where to go, we would encourage people to contact NHS 111 first for advice.”
READ NEXT:
-
Andy Burnham defends council's decision to axe Bonfire Night celebrations across Manchester
-
Jet2 air hostess high on cocaine caught drug-driving twice in 24 hours - but avoids jail
-
Minister apologises 'unequivocally' and hints at inquiry into mental health unit 'abuse'
-
Woman searching for man called Paul she met on TUI flight to Manchester who she 'clicked' with
-
GMP officer punched girl, 2, after kicking door into her face during police raid, court hears
