Greater Manchester minor injury unit to permanently close amid short-staffing
A Greater Manchester minor injury unit will close permanently, having initially shut due to staff shortages.
The Altrincham Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) was temporarily closed in April 2020 due to national shortages of specialist nursing staff, known as emergency nurse practitioners, a situation exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, NHS Greater Manchester announced today (March 26).
During the pandemic, NHS staff were redeployed to busier urgent care settings to help meet increased demand. The unit briefly reopened in July 2021 but closed again after a month due to ongoing staff shortages.
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Limited resources means making tough decisions, say Greater Manchester health bosses.
Katherine Sheerin, chief commissioning officer at NHS Greater Manchester, said: "We understand that confirming the permanent closure of the Altrincham Minor Injuries Unit may not be the news some residents were hoping for. However, this decision brings an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty and ensures that urgent and emergency care services continue to meet national standards."
"Providing the best possible care with limited resources means making tough decisions. While the MIU was once an important part of local healthcare, both the way services are delivered and what people need from them have changed.
"To offer safer, more reliable care for everyone, services must be organised in a way that works better for the whole community, both now and in the future."
The decision has prompted anger from local politicians and residents alike. A paper presented to an NHS Greater Manchester board meeting on Wednesday (March 26) said: "It should also be highlighted that since the unit's closure, there have been no complaints from the public, Healthwatch, or the voluntary sector.
"However, the matter has received significant coverage in the local media, focusing on statements made by Trafford politicians and discussions from public committee meetings."
A statement from NHS Greater Manchester, which is responsible for health services in the region, read: "Before its closure, the MIU operated with inconsistent hours, sometimes causing confusion for patients. It saw fewer than 50 patients per day, with 65 per cent of those living within two miles of the hospital."
"Since then, services have been relocated to Wythenshawe Hospital, around three miles away. Wythenshawe offers a full 24/7 A&E department and a wider range of urgent care services. Additionally, extended access appointments are available at local GP surgeries across Trafford.
"These offer evening and weekend appointments with GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, providing more flexibility for those who need it."
All other services at Altrincham Hospital remain open and patients should attend their appointments as normal, the health service has said. The space previously occupied by the MIU was temporarily repurposed to support other NHS services.
Following this decision, plans for the space are underway to determine its long-term use to ensure it continues to benefit patients, the region's NHS has added.
Ms Sheerin added: "Alongside Wythenshawe Hospital's 24/7 A&E, local GP practices offer extended access appointments, including evenings and weekends, and NHS 111 remains available to guide people to the most appropriate care quickly and safely.
"It is important to recognise the dedication and hard work of staff throughout this period. Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure continuity of care, both locally and through national efforts to address long-term workforce planning and meet NHS priorities for improving patient care.
"We remain committed to improving services, tackling waiting times, and building a sustainable workforce to meet future demand.
"We're incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their views. Your feedback has been invaluable in shaping how we move forward to provide the best possible care for Trafford and Greater Manchester."
In September 2024, NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board agreed recommendations from the Trafford Urgent Care Review, including the proposal to permanently close Altrincham MIU. The board accepted the review, which said that standalone minor injury units like Altrincham MIU can create a fragmented, confusing system, especially for people who already face difficulties accessing healthcare.
Local and national experts assessed the decision to ensure it met all necessary clinical, safety, and regulatory standards, the announcement reads. The review included an in-depth analysis of the potential impact on patient care, alongside substantial feedback gathered from residents, healthcare professionals, and local stakeholders.
NHS Greater Manchester's board decided that a formal public consultation was not required following this review and that the unit will close.
"By consolidating urgent care services at Wythenshawe Hospital, which provides round-the-clock A&E care and a wider range of services, the aim is to create a simpler, more effective system that ensures everyone gets the right care in the right place, regardless of their background or circumstances," said NHS Greater Manchester.
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