HYWEL DDA University Health Board has announced that the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli will temporarily operate as a 12-hour daytime service, running from 8am to 8pm, starting 1 November 2024. This change, confirmed at a Health Board meeting on 26 September 2024, is set to last for six months and is aimed at addressing pressing patient safety concerns.
The decision comes after an inspection by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales last year highlighted serious issues with staffing the unit, particularly during evening and overnight hours. This reduction in service has been met with alarm and concern from local councillors, politicians, and residents, who fear the impact on healthcare provision in the area and the potential for further strain on neighbouring hospitals.
The Health Board’s decision is rooted in ongoing patient safety issues and staffing difficulties. The inability to consistently staff the MIU with suitably qualified doctors, especially overnight, has been a significant problem. Instead, Emergency Nurse Practitioners have been managing the service during these periods. While these practitioners are highly skilled in treating minor injuries, they cannot provide the GP-led care required for more complex cases.
The reduction in opening hours aims to mitigate the risks associated with these staffing shortages. Jon Morris, Clinical Lead of the MIU at Prince Philip Hospital, explained, “To ensure the safety and confidence of people attending the minor injury unit, we need to provide a fit-for-purpose service during all opening hours. The inability to consistently cover the rota, particularly during evenings and overnight, carries risks to our patients and our staff.”
Opposition and Concerns from Local Politicians
The decision to cut overnight services has been met with strong opposition from local councillors, who argue that the largest town in West Wales deserves a full-time MIU, if not an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Independent and Plaid Cymru councillors recently issued a joint statement calling on the Welsh Government and Health Minister Jeremy Miles to intervene.
Cllr. Sean Rees, one of the councillors leading the opposition, stated, “It is staggering that Hywel Dda’s solution to these issues is to cut the service. Llanelli is a large town, and we already lack an A&E department. Now we won’t even have a full-time Minor Injuries Unit. This is simply unacceptable.”
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith has also expressed concern over the impact this decision will have on local residents. She previously urged the Health Board to explore all possible alternatives before making such cuts, warning that any reduction in services would increase pressure on already overstretched A&E departments at nearby Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen and Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
Health Board’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the concerns, the Health Board emphasised that this change is a temporary measure intended to address immediate patient safety issues. During the six-month period, the Health Board will work to engage with the community to consider future options for the service. An information and engagement campaign will be launched, and a stakeholder group with community representatives will be established to discuss long-term solutions.
While the MIU will operate with reduced hours, the Health Board reassured the public that Prince Philip Hospital’s Acute Medical Assessment Unit will continue to provide 24-hour care for severely unwell patients, including those with chronic diseases, infections, or potential strokes. Jon Morris reiterated, “Prince Philip Hospital continues to provide acute medical care for the local population. We will work closely with GPs and the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust to ensure patients continue to receive the care they need during this temporary change.”
Patients in the Llanelli area requiring care for minor injuries overnight will need to use alternative options, such as the NHS 111 Wales symptom checker or by calling NHS 111 for advice and signposting. In life-threatening emergencies, they should continue to call 999.
Community Engagement and Information Campaign
To ease the transition, the Health Board will now focus on running a comprehensive information campaign to inform residents about the temporary opening hours and the type of care available at the MIU. Details on how to provide feedback and engage with the Health Board will be shared with the community prior to the implementation of the change on 1 November 2024.
The community response will be crucial in shaping the future of the service. With politicians, councillors, and residents expressing their concerns, the next six months will be a key period for discussions about the long-term future of urgent care provision in Llanelli.
For further information about the services provided at the MIU, residents are encouraged to visit the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s website. Those unsure about what help they might need can use the NHS Wales symptom checker online or call 111 for advice. In urgent mental health situations that are not emergencies, calling 111 and pressing Option 2 is advised.
