Local MP, Graham Stuart, has demanded an urgent meeting with the East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Chief Officer, Jane Hawkard, following a number of complaints from Withernsea residents and ward councillors over the “out of control” situation at the town’s new 8 to 8 Centre.
The new service, which after lobbying from Graham was introduced in April following the closure of the Minor Injuries Unit at Withernsea Community Hospital, has been marred by confused referrals and poor communication. Graham said that local patients now deserve answers from the CCG.
Withernsea councillors including Lyn Healing have reported a number of scenarios where patients have been given conflicting advice by GPs, NHS 111 operators and staff at the 8 to 8 Centre, while others have voiced concerns that patients are being told to travel much further afield to receive the treatment they need.
The 8 to 8 Centre was designed to allow Withernsea residents, who have lower levels of car ownership than the East Riding average, a bookable service for minor injuries within close proximity. With growing concerns about the accessibility of the service and the long-term future of the 8 to 8 Centre, however, Graham has stepped up the pressure on the CCG to provide a response.
Graham said: “The announcement of an 8 to 8 Centre in Withernsea was a substantial coup for the campaign against shutting down minor injuries cover in Holderness – yet it appears from what I have heard from Withernsea residents and ward councillors that local patients are not seeing the benefits of this service.
“I am extremely concerned by reports of conflicting referrals, unnecessary delays and long trips for patients who are rightly expecting a clear and consistent service from the CCG. That is why I have written to Jane Hawkard to demand an urgent meeting to discuss these issues and come up with a strategy to ensure that patients are getting the support they need.”
Cllr Lyn Healing said: “Residents have contacted me with serious concerns about the Withernsea 8 to 8 Centre. The greatest problem is with the NHS 111 response and a tick-box system which at the moment does not seem fit for purpose. Because of this, many residents believe that there is no 8 to 8 service and others are saying that they feel abandoned.”
