Today during the corporate committee of Moray Council Cllr Tim Eagle asked for an update on the re-opening of minor injuries unit and X-ray departments in regional areas of Moray. This follows the closure of the units during the initial phase of COVID and concerns being raised that this is forcing more people onto A&E in Elgin and a significant cost for travel from outlying areas.
Commenting Cllr Eagle said;
“I have been contacted by both members of the public and health professionals on their concerns over the continued closure of minor injuries units and regional X-ray centres across Moray. My understanding is that all minor injuries units are still shut and the local x-ray department in Keith and Buckie also remain shut.
Minor injuries departments are a vital local resource with nursing professionals specifically trained to help staff these departments through our community hospitals. They offer fantastic local care which helps alleviate pressure on A&E departments.
The council recognises both the climate emergency and the rising costs of living at the moment, we also have in place a commitment to 15min neighbourhoods yet there is no discussion at all about re-opening these units.
That worries me, is there perhaps a plan to close them?!
Regional X Ray units were used regularly by GP’s to save pressure on the central resources and again allowed for local care, it would make sense that these benefited the system and with high waiting times just now I would have imagined we should be trying to reopen them rather than have equipment unused, but again there is limited discussion on this.
I am calling for these units to be re-opened as soon as possible and have asked today for an update on what is going on to be provided to all councillors.
Hopefully this will give us a clear timeline to move forward with.
I continue to be grateful to all our wonderful NHS staff for the hard work they are putting in but given some staff themselves have approached me over this it is about time we started talking about it, before it is to late."
