The chairman of the Honiton Locality Health and Care Team expresses his disapponitment at a further reduction in opening hours at Honiton Community Hospital’s minor injury unit.

The chairman of Honiton Locality Health and Care Team says he is disappointed to see a further reduction in opening hours at Honiton Community Hospital’s minor injury unit.

Vernon Whitlock said: “I fully understand the difficulties that Honiton Hospital has in staffing the unit due to staff absence and training issues.

“These are often unavoidable in a small unit such as Honiton. However, these latest ‘temporary’ reductions follow on from a previous reduction in overnight opening hours earlier in the year.

“We were informed at the time by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust that the reduction in hours was ‘temporary’. These hours have not yet been reinstated.”

“This follows on from a previous ‘temporary’ closure of The Bungalow respite unit which despite strong reassurances from Devon Partnership Trust proved permanent.

“We need to make sure that a similar thing does not happen with the MIU.”

He added: “Northern Devon Healthcare Trust is commissioned by the NHS to provide a 24 hour minor injuries service in Honiton. This is not happening.”

Mr Whitlock will be meeting with NHS commissioners and the healthcare trust tomorrow (Thursday) to ensure the town retains services.