‘Dungannon & South Tyrone Hospital Unit Decision Close’
28/06/2012
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save the under-threat opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit at South Tyrone Hospital say their fight has reached a crucial stage as fears grow that the proposed cuts could be brought in as soon as next month. Despite the MIU having treated a record number of patients over the past six weeks, the South Tyrone Hospital Community Forum (STHCF) says it fears the Southern Trust may push on with a proposal to reduce the unit's weekend opening hours within a matter of weeks. The Southern Health Trust has denied that a date has been set for the proposed cuts however, so seriously are the concerns of campaigners being taken, that they have prompted Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone Tom Elliott to take urgent action. The assemblyman said he has tabled urgent questions in the Assembly to the Health Minister, Edwin Poots, in the hope that he can over-rule any action by the trust, should it occur. For the past few months the group have tirelessly campaigned to save the MIU in its current form with its opening hours of 9am-9pm seven days a week preserved. And over the last six weeks record numbers have attended the unit for treatment as more and more of the general public have become aware of the range of ailments it can treat. |