Department of Health approves Minor Injury Unit plans to reshape urgent and Emergency Care in South Eastern HSCT Trust area
The Department of Health has approved South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust proposals for the reshaping of urgent and emergency care services.
The Trust’s plans were the subject of a 12 week public consultation earlier this year.
Phase one will involve a Consultant-led Minor Injury Unit (MIU) being established at the Ulster Hospital site.
This will replace the MIU at Ards Community Hospital as well as the MIU at Bangor Community Hospital.
The Bangor unit has been closed on a temporary basis since 2020.
The new Unit will be open 8am-6pm, seven days a week.
The Ards Community Hospital unit, which is less than five miles away from the Ulster Hospital site, currently operates 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
The second phase of the Trust’s reshaping plans will involve provision of a full Urgent Care Centre alongside the new Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital.
The Department’s approval has been conveyed to the Trust today in a letter from Permanent Secretary Peter May to its Chief Executive Roisin Coulter.
The Permanent Secretary’s letter can be read here Letter re Future Provision of Urgent and Emergency Care Services in Ards & North Down | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
Setting out the factors which led to his decision, Mr May today commented: “I have reviewed the Trust’s consultation outcome in line with Departmental guidance on change or withdrawal of service.
“I have received advice from the Department of Health’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency.
“I am satisfied that my decision to approve falls within the remit of the Northern Ireland Executive Formation legislation and the associated Guidance published by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.”
The Permanent Secretary added: “Among the considerations I have taken into account are the improvements which the change will bring.
“The merged Minor Injury Unit will be open seven days a week for longer hours and will be doctor led which will expand the range of conditions that can be treated.
“The Trust’s plans will also pave the way for the delivery of an Urgent Care Centre in due course after the necessary enabling works have taken place.
“This development is in line with Departmental policy.”
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South Eastern HSC Trust Welcomes DoH Decision To Approve FGuture Model Of Care In Ards And North Down
The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has welcomed the Department of Health’s decision to approve proposals for the reshaping of urgent and emergency care services.
The plans were the subject of a 12 week public consultation, which included both public and online events.
The first phase will see the opening of a Consultant led Minor Injury Unit (MIU) 8am-6pm, 7 days a week at the Ulster Hospital site.
This will replace the Minor Injury Unit at Ards Community Hospital and the Minor Injury Unit at Bangor Community Hospital. The Bangor Minor Injury Unit has been closed on a temporary basis since 2020.
The Ards Community Hospital MIU, less than five miles away from the Ulster Hospital site, currently operates 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
The second phase of the plans will involve provision of a full Urgent Care Centre 8am-8pm, 7 days a week, co-located with the new Emergency Department in the Ulster Hospital’s Acute Services Block.
The Trust’s Chief Executive, Roisin Coulter said: “I welcome Peter May’s decision. Clinical staff in the Trust believe the creation of an Urgent Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital, will provide the community with a more comprehensive service than is currently available at the Ards Minor Injury Unit.
“It will also help improve patient flow through the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital. This is a more sustainable model of care in the future.
“Having a new Consultant led Urgent Care Centre, co-located with the new Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital, will give patients easier access to medical assessment and clinical investigations, if required, on the same site.
“I would like to thank our staff in both Ards and Bangor Minor Injury Units for the excellent care and service they have provided to the community.”
The Trust added that it remains committed to both the Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals and that they will continue to deliver a wide range of Primary and Community Care Services for the local population.
“We would like to thank the public, our partner organisations and elected and community representatives for their continued understanding and for the support offered to our dedicated and committed staff as they continue to work tirelessly to protect and care for our community,” added Roisin Coulter.
The Minor Injury Unit at the Ulster Hospital will be able to treat patients of all ages with minor injuries such as: Injuries to upper and lower limbs; broken bones, sprains, bruises and wounds; bites, human, animal and insects; burns and scalds; wound infections; minor head injuries; broken noses; foreign bodies in the eyes and nose.
