Hours cut at injuries unit

New rules regarding the treatment of children would see costs spiral

Opening hours at a minor injuries unit in Carmarthenshire are being cut following a meeting of health officials.

Nearly 2,000 people signed a petition opposing the move to only open the unit at Llandovery Hospital between 0900 and 1700BST on week days.

But health managers said continuing the 24 hour, seven day a week service, could cost £500,000 because of changes in rules for treating children.

They say the money is not available.

This is about providing a valued service for a rural area that is up to an hour's travelling time each way from the nearest A&E department Sian Thomas

Members of the Carmarthenshire Local Health Board met in Llanelli on Thursday to discuss the changes, due to come into force on 6 September.

The current cost of the service is £21,000 but under new rules for treating children GPs would need to be on site during evenings and weekends.

This would result in costs of the service spiralling.

LHB Chief Executive Alan Brace said it was regrettable but there was no other option.

Local residents say the new hours would make it difficult for people in work to attend the unit.

The Carmarthen Dinefwr Community Health Council had proposed a compromise of opening between 0800 and 18.30BST on weekdays with a short session on Saturday mornings.

But that was rejected.

CHC chairwoman Sian Thomas said: "This is about providing a valued service for a rural area that is up to an hour's travelling time each way from the nearest A&E department.

"Very reluctantly we have had to accept that changes in clinical standards have changed the rules for minor injuries units.

"We set our sights on what we felt should be a realistic target."