Minor Injuries Unit Loses its Two Doctors

The minor injuries unit at Kidderminster hospital has lost, on a "temporary basis", its two doctors. The doctors were brought in to enhance the service provided by the MIU, and in a small away sought to redress the losses of full A+E services a decade ago.

Mark Garnier, who was campaigning along with all the political parties in Wyre Forest for this improvement, is worried that this may not be a "temporary" measure.

"I fear any move like this. We saw the birthing unit "temporarily" closed in 2003, after some unfortunate deaths. This was closed until a report came out. The report was published in early 2005, with 27 recommendations, but the birthing unit still remains closed.

"I brought Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP to meet with the doctors shortly after they were brought to the MIU and he was impressed.  Although this was not a return to full blue-light services, it was a move in the right direction. This latest move is therefore a retrograde step.

"I also worry that it is Kidderminster who has been asked to give up 100% of its MIU doctors. Why all of Kidderminster's doctors? Why not move doctors around elsewhere? At the very least, we would have hoped that if things really are that tight they would have shuffled their rosters so that Kidderminster wouldn't lose out so much.

"I will be talking with the management about this to establish the length of time that this so-called temporary measure will last. But I will also be asking if they need help to find resources to support their plans and activities. It is no good the local MP just getting angry about this: the local MP is there to support local public services and help where he or she can."

The attached photo shows Mark with Andrew Lansley after his visit to the doctor led MIU in 2008.