Protestors turn out in force to show support for Ilfracombe’s hospital and MIU service

Protestors gathered outside the Tyrrell Hospital in Ilfracombe today (Friday, July 18) to call for answers and a full Minor Injuries Unit to serve the town and surrounding communities.

There were fears Ilfracombe would be left with no MIU at all as the contract for the present weekend-only service expires on July 31.

But intervention by North Devon MP Ian Roome and ongoing pressure from campaigners has helped secure interim provision for the rest of the summer holidays.

Above: Ian Roome MP speaking to those gathered outside the Tyrrell Hospital on Friday.

However, campaigners including the Tyrrell Hospital League of Friends (LoF) say Ilfracombe deserves better than stop gap and ‘sticking plaster’ solutions and they want to see a full seven day service restored, as it was before the pandemic.

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

An estimated 130 people with placards turned out for the peaceful protest at lunchtime, to hear short speeches from Mr Roome, LoF members and Netti Pearson of the Save Our Hospital Services group which brought pressure when there were plans to downgrade Barnstaple.

Above: 'We're Ilfracombe not invisible' - local people show their support for the hospital and its MIU. 

NHS Devon said yesterday (Thursday) 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 would form part of a wider review of Minor Injury Service/Urgent Treatment Centre provision across Devon which was currently underway.

It also 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 campaigners say this is not an ideal solution as it is not a walk in centre, plus they say the surgery does not have capacity to see a greatly increased number of patients.

Above and below: Around 130 people turned out for the protest.

Terry Elliott of the LoF has been deeply critical of the ongoing saga and a lack of answers or action.

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?”

Speaking today, Ian Roome said when he heard about the ending of the MIU contract and having been previously presented with a 3,000 signature petition from the League of Friends, he had spoken to the ICB and attended many meetings.

He said he had personally spent an afternoon on the phone calling various care providers until he found one in a position to provide the interim service.

He added: “I'm really happy to have found a provider that is now going to cover the whole of August, so the summer holiday period, before it gets reassessed.

“So it's a great victory for Ilfracombe, but the fight goes on. We must all come together and keep the pressure on, because, obviously, we don't want our services from North Devon depleted, because that's what's been happening over the past years.”

Above: Ian Roome updates the group on his efforts so far.

Ilfracombe County Councillor Sara Wilson said today she was deeply concerned the Tyrrell had faced an uncertain future for so long and said despite repeated questions and pressure, they did not seem to be getting any further ahead with it.

She said: “We've got a six week extension of the MIU at the weekend, which is very welcome, but it's still only a very short term measure.

“And really, the bigger picture is that Ilfracombe is with a lot of health inequalities, a lot of deprivation. We have a big seasonal population here and we are the only MIU here, outside of the hospital in Barnstaple.

“In theory, with a full MIU service here at the weekends and during the week, we could take a lot of pressure off North Devon District Hospital and that just isn't happening.

“There's a great deal of frustration as to why the NHS and the ICB can't recognise the need for some long term funding in place to keep this MIU open, we’ve just got short term measures short term measures and uncertainty all the time.

“This must be terrible for the staff as well, who are working here, just generally wondering about the whole hospital’s future, because, again, it's got lot potential.

“We know the Labour government is talking about its 10 year health plan, having community hubs for healthcare and emphasis on prevention. This is an ideal place for that. We want to keep this hospital open. We want to be an MIU, especially, but the bigger picture of this hospital is its future and can it be guaranteed that it remains an asset in Ilfracombe to address health inequalities?”

READ MORE: Urgent meeting called with health bosses as Ilfracombe prepares to protest to keep its MIU