Minor injuries unit to remain open, say NHS bosses

There had been fears that the minor injuries unit at Leek Moorlands Hospital could close

There are no plans to close a Staffordshire town's minor injuries unit (MIU), according to NHS bosses.

Leek Moorlands Hospital was not mentioned in plans for MIUs in the area to become urgent treatment centres (UTCs), leading to fears it could be closed.

However Tracy Shewan, a director at Staffordshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said there were "no plans at the moment" for any changes at the site.

Her view was echoed by MP Karen Bradley who said she had been given similar assurances at the end of last year.

"I was absolutely delighted to be told categorically that the services of the MIU are staying at the Leek Moorlands Hospital," Ms Bradley said.

"The community nurses are now based at the hospital, they've got a full time base there.

"We've got cognitive therapies, we've got blood testing facilities and x-rays and many other things."

The NHS might decide to rename some of its sites, she said, but services currently offered at Leek MIU were not being transferred elsewhere.

Ms Shewan made the announcement after talking to the public to get their view.

"[They've] told us lots of information which we're really grateful for – around Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent – about services that they want and what they feel they need in their area," she said.

"I understand names are very important to some people, but for us it's actually the services that are the most important things – so people get the care they need at the right time and at the right place."