MP writes to health bosses over ongoing closure of minor injury units
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Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has written to health bosses amid local concern that minor injury units (MIUs) in Banff and Turriff are still not open to the public.
Operating hours at both facilities were reduced following a review by the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) last year.
All the region’s units were subsequently shut down at the beginning of the Coronavirus lockdown in March.
However units in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Huntly have since re-opened to patients, while those in Banff and Turriff – and in other parts of Aberdeenshire – remain closed.
A petition has been launched in Banff by the local community council to re-open the local unit.
Now Mr Duguid has added his voice to the growing calls for action.
The MP has written to Angie Wood, interim chief officer of the AHSCP.
Mr Duguid said: “We know that these units were temporarily shut during the initial lockdown period, but many residents are asking why there appears to be a two-tier approach to re-opening.
“It is hard for people to understand why the minor injury units in Peterhead and Fraserburgh can be open when those in Banff and Turriff are not.
“Despite the restrictions on our day-to-day lives, there will still be demand for these services.
“And as we head into the winter months, that demand is likely to grow, with aa higher risk of people injuring themselves slipping on pavements, for example.
“I have asked the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership to explain the rationale for not re-opening the Banff and Turriff sites.
“I have also asked for a date on which people can expect these services to resume.”
