Minor injury unit to close as staff take on Covid-19 roles

The unit was closed temporarily in April last year so that staff could be redeployed before re-opening in August.

The latest closure will be reviewed regularly according to Dr Gary Howsam, chair of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group.

He said: “Temporarily closing Wisbech Minor Injury Unit, in addition to the continued temporary closure of Doddington Minor Injury Unit, is not a decision we have made lightly.

“We are incredibly thankful to the unit’s staff for their willingness to take on new local roles in response to the pandemic.

“We will review our decision on a regular basis to ensure that we can re-open these facilities as soon as possible.”

CEO of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Sandie Smith said: “Our health system leaders are having to make tough choices at the moment.

“The closure of Wisbech MIU is understandable as staff are needed to care for very sick patients elsewhere, or help deliver the largest vaccination programme we have ever seen.

“It is temporary and we are confident that it will re-open as soon as staff are available again.

“We want to pass on our thanks to all of those in health and social care services – both on the front line and behind the scenes - who are working incredibly hard to care for people in these difficult times.”

If you need urgent or emergency health care advice or support you are being asked to call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.