19,000 patients at Cannock minor injury unit which bosses want to shut

The unit at Cannock Hospital was given a reprieve but plans are being made to reduce its opening times.

Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group has agreed to keep the unit open but want to reduce the opening hours as part of efficiency savings.

The GP-led group had planned to shut the unit based at the Brunswick Road site in a bid to save £750,000.

Residents attended a consultation meeting at Avon Business and Leisure Centre in Cannock over the latest proposals.

In 2013/14 there were 19,043 visits – slightly down from 19,464 the year before, it was revealed.

Under the new plans the unit based at Cannock Hospital would open from 11am to 7pm to deal with injuries such as bumps, bruises and cuts instead of the current times from 8am until midnight. A GP out-of-hours service would run from 6.30pm to 8am to deal with minor illnesses such as high temperatures.

Those at the meeting gave a mixed response to what they heard.

Cannock North ward representative Councillor Gordon Alcott said: "I am not in favour of the reduction in hours or the way the CCG has gone about this consultation process. They conducted a survey in the summer months at a time of year when less people visit the unit. If they did it in the middle of winter they would get a truer picture of how vital the service is.."

Retired teacher Anne Wearing, aged 62, of Great Wyrley, said: "The staff do a fantastic job. It is a pity that it has to be reduced. Obviously finance comes into everything. My concern is for the staff. They are very experienced and we do not want to lose them."

Rugeley GP and clinical lead for primary care Dr Mohammed Huda said he was pleased that residents had given their views. He said: "We are listening and we will address the communication issues that have been raised."

Another meeting will be on Wednesday from 10am to midday at The Aquarius Ballroom, Victoria Shopping Park, in Hednesford, followed by Rugeley Rose Theatre and Community Hall, Taylors Lane, on September 18 from 6pm to 8pm.