Minor injures unit at Lymington hospital cuts opening hours

PRESSURE on staff has been blamed for the reduction of opening hours at the minor injuries unit at Lymington New Forest Hospital.

NHS bosses say the change was made after it was found that the average number of people coming into the unit later in the evening was very low.

The service will now operate on shorter hours from 8.30am until 7.30pm instead of 9pm.

Laura Rothery, divisional director of operations at the South West Integrated Care Partnership, told the A&T that on average only three patients per day were seen after 7.30pm and it was hoped that disruption to patients will be minimal.

She added: “Despite concentrated and ongoing efforts to ensure we can safely staff the MIU at Lymington New Forest Hospital, we have taken the decision to slightly reduce its hours.

“We are committed to providing a safe and high quality service in Lymington and explored all options before taking this decision, including working with our partners at NHS professionals and other local Minor Injuries Units to find or share staff to cover shifts.

“We are disappointed to have had to make this decision, however we would encourage patients to keep using the MIU between 8am and 7.30pm as it continues to provide a high quality local service for people in Lymington.”