Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli will be closing its minor injury unit (MIU) at night for a period of six months. This decision has been made by health leaders due to concerns surrounding patient safety and the well-being of staff at the hospital. The Hywel Dda University Health Board members discussed the proposal on September 26, with chairman Dr. Neil Wooding acknowledging that the community would be disappointed. However, he stressed his anxiety and concern over the pressure on staff at the hospital.
The 24-hour MIU will be closed from 8 pm to 8 am for the six-month period, starting in November. This closure aims to allow the health board to enhance the daytime service and develop a new care model to ensure patients receive appropriate care. A report presented to the board highlighted difficulties in covering the MIU rota, particularly during overnight hours, due to a shortage of qualified doctors. This often resulted in emergency nurse practitioners leading the unit, although they were not always equipped to handle all the complex medical conditions presented by patients.
Chief operating officer Andrew Carruthers emphasised the importance of implementing a safe clinical model, especially as winter approaches. He expressed concerns about the risks posed to nursing staff in the absence of a doctor. Staff sickness levels at the MIU have been high, with a significant percentage attributed to stress-related conditions. Dr. Jon Morris, clinical lead at the MIU, noted the increase in patients presenting with complex conditions and stressed the need for adequate medical cover to ensure patient safety.
Sam Dentten from patient watchdog Llais also expressed disappointment over the reduction in MIU services and raised questions about the future of urgent care in Llanelli. Dr. Robin Ghosal, director of Prince Philip Hospital, highlighted the opportunity to enhance care delivery by redirecting unwell patients to the hospital’s acute medical assessment unit. The health board plans to explore alternative care options and engage with the public to address concerns.
Despite the impact on the community, the board approved the proposal to temporarily close the MIU at night. Dr. Wooding affirmed that prioritising clinical safety and care during this period was essential. The board aims to return with an optimised care model in the future. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare providers in ensuring quality care delivery amidst staffing shortages and increasing patient needs.