Hospital MIU to stay open for summer but campaigners say it’s a ‘sticking plaster’ solution

The sole remaining minor injuries unit in North Devon at Ilfracombe’s Tyrrell Hospital will be kept open at weekends for another two months once its current contract ends to cover the ‘vital’ summer holiday period.

North Devon MP Ian Roome has helped to secure a provisional agreement with an alternative provider to keep the service at the Tyrrell Hospital running until ‘at least September 2025’.

But the Tyrrell Hospital League of Friends still intends to hold a protest outside the hospital tomorrow (Friday, July 18) at 1pm to raise awareness of its importance to the community and call for seven day cover to be reinstated. As many people as possible are urged to attend.

A statement from NHS Devon issued today (Thursday) said it had explored other possibilities for extending the weekend MIU cover in Ilfracombe until September to cover the summer holiday period.

READ MORE: Health authorities respond to claims Ilfracombe will lose its MIU service

It confirmed Alliance Pioneer Group, which is based in Plymouth, would provide weekend cover at the Tyrrell after the current service contract held by First Care runs out on July 31, up to and including the weekend of September 6-7.

It said future provision at the Tyrrell would form part of a wider review of Minor Injury Service/Urgent Treatment Centre provision across Devon which was currently underway.

Until Covid the Tyrrell had a seven-day MIU service run by nurses, but this was withdrawn and not reinstated. Campaigning from the League of Friends (LoF) and the community saw the weekend cover brought in – this was staffed by paramedics but they could not prescribe antibiotics or suture minor injuries.

Ian Roome thanked the LoF, the provider and all the Ilfracombe residents who signed the 3,000 signature petition that was presented to him back in March for helping to resolve the situation.

He said there had been weeks of conversations with NHS leaders, campaigners and potential providers.

He added: “It made no sense to stop the service right at the busiest time of the summer, when we’ve got more people and visitors than ever, so I’m really pleased to have been able to find a new provider willing to step in.

“Maintaining accessible, local healthcare services like the MIU really matters, especially in places like Ilfracombe where getting to Barnstaple isn’t always easy. If we value these services, we have to keep standing up for them.”

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Terry Elliott from the LoF, who has been campaigning on behalf of the community, condemned the confusing and ‘piecemeal’ process that was ‘cruelly prolonging the anxiety and distress of not having a straightforward understandable minor injuries service’.

She said: “The ICB [Integrated Care Board] and the trust [Royal Devon] have had three years to come up with a sustainable service since they finally agreed to return a minor injuries service after it was taken away during Covid.

“They have cobbled together short term solution after short term solution which has been complicated, piecemeal, patchy and difficult for the public to follow.

“This six week sticking plaster is just more of the same. Why can't they plan ahead? Why are they bringing a private ambulance service all the way from Plymouth?”

NHS Devon has said people in Ilfracombe and surrounding areas can access the minor injury service at Combe Coastal Practice from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6pm by calling 111.

But the LoF has pointed out it is not a walk in service and more often than not people are asked to attend A&E in Barnstaple.

Terry Elliott added: “Why is the Tyrrell MIU only weekends? In the week people are supposed to ring 111 to get referred to the GP, but they have virtually no capacity to see patients and they don't want people walking in.

“I just feel it's more confusing than ever and First Care, which has been running it up to now haven't been able to prescribe antibiotics or stitch or do other things - will this six week paramedic service be the same?

“The ICB is only coming up with this last minute and informing the public last minute after the intervention of the MP and because we became so exasperated with the lack of communication that we are holding a protest.

“We want a sustainable, long term solution that meets the health needs of our population - a population that has the worst health inequality in Devon (excluding Plymouth) and across the country.”