Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has welcomed the good news in the first set of data coming out of the pilot of Withernsea’s new service for minor injuries.
The new service commenced on 28th September 2020 and replaces the hopeless 8-to-8 Centre opposed vehemently by Graham as being unfit for purpose. Together with South East Holderness Ward Councillors, Graham had fought successfully to have it replaced.
The majority of patients using the new, improved service have been able to receive treatment at Withernsea Community Hospital instead of being forced to travel to Beverley, Hull or even Grimsby.
The data, released last Friday, shows that the majority of treatments are for non-serious ailments including cuts, grazes, sprains and minor burns. Most patients have used the service to receive treatments for foot, hand and leg injuries – accounting for 53% of the roughly 150 calls it has received.
The pilot has proved to be a success, and due to the virtual appointment system brought in under the current Covid-19 restrictions, there is now capacity for Holderness Health to undertake more face-to-face appointments in non-urgent cases.
Operating Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm, Holderness Health patients are now able to phone 0333 332 4242 and press ‘4’ to be redirected to a locally based clinician instead of ringing the centralised NHS 111 hotline.
The clinician will measure the severity of the injury over the phone and often provide face-to-face appointments the same afternoon between 3-5pm.
Graham commented, “I’m delighted to be working closely with the GPs at Holderness Health and the NHS bosses at the CCG, and to have chaired another of our regular Withernsea Care Provision meetings.
“We’re really making progress despite the challenges that Covid presents. I’m absolutely thrilled to see the data from the Withernsea Minor Injury Service pilot. It’s been a real success and such a change after the debacle of the 8-to-8 Centre which preceded it.”
South East Holderness Ward Councillor Lyn Healing added, “I am glad to see that the treatment of Minor Injuries by local clinicians, despite Covid restrictions, has had such a positive local impact for my residents in South East Holderness.
“I am uplifted by the recent data and the attitude of our GPs, showing that there is a place for these services in Withernsea. Due to such optimistic responses from the community, I will continue to work with local health officials and my fellow councillors to build upon these tremendous results”
