COMMUNITY activist Martin Pain has launched a campaign to see a minor injuries unit re-established in Melksham.
With the town’s growing population, he wants to see an minor injuries unit (MIU) so people don’t have to travel to Bath, Trowbridge or Chippenham A&Es.
Martin has met with local MP Michelle Donelan who has promised to do all in her power to find a solution to the lack of an MIU in Melksham, although she says the current NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group position does not accept the need for an MIU in the town.
Martin argues that more up-to-date research is needed into the needs of local people and the growing population and the number of houses being built has not been taken into consideration.
Martin said, “There are now over 28,000 residents registered with the local GP practices; each of the three local GP surgeries refuse to deal with minor injuries, meaning that patients must travel to the A&E units in Trowbridge or Chippenham. This policy is so shortsighted in view of the distress and unnecessary pain and hardship it inflicts upon the most vulnerable members of our community.
“Melksham must keep up the pressure on the NHS to provide us with an MIU or at the very least a local equivalent within a GP practice, taking into account the fact that we are building or planning to build a further 3,000-plus houses in our area which may add a further 7,000 citizens to our GP registers.
“What kind of society does Melksham want – is it one where we are prepared to spend millions upon 18 soccer fields, millions upon a so-called health and wellbeing campus that has little or nothing to do with health, one that allows slashing services to our oldest and youngest who really need care and attention?
“Are we, as citizens prepared to accept this situation, are we prepared to go backwards and accept that our hospital was closed, our MIU was closed and we are simply told to live with it and go somewhere else for treatment?
“Well, myself and Michelle Donelan say no and have both pledged to keep on searching for a solution in the knowledge that the people of Melksham stand strong and are determined to back this vitally-needed service.
“NHS take note: The people of Melksham need a solution; they demand a solution and we will not stop until we get a solution.
“Although the records show that the now defunct Melksham MIU had an average daily patient attendance of only 5 to 6 per day, that was back in 2007 and takes no account of the reality of Melksham today, nor does it indicate an up-to-date statistic on how many patients from Melksham visit Trowbridge, Chippenham or Bath A&Es.”
