Changes are being introduced at Burnham-On-Sea’s minor injuries unit from Monday 7th September in an effort to stabilise the service following a summer of short‑notice closures caused by staffing shortages.
From Monday 7th September, staff at Symphony North Healthcare will support the minor injuries unit (MIU) at the Burnham-On-Sea War Memorial Hospital, before Symphony Healthcare begins running the service at the hospital from Monday 5 October.
Symphony North Healthcare runs GP services in Burnham-on-Sea and is part of Symphony Healthcare Services which is owned by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
From 7th September – 3rd October, the MIU will be open three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 6pm.
Then, from 5th October, the MIU will revert to full opening hours and open seven days a week from 10am – 6pm. The MIU provides advice and treatment for a variety of injuries including cuts, wounds, sprains, strains and minor burns.
These changes aim to provide a more reliable service, and the MIU will remain at Burnham-On-Sea War Memorial Hospital.
Professor Deirdre Fowler, chief nurse and midwife for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, says: “We know how valued the MIU in Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital is. Unfortunately, this year and increasingly over the summer, we have had to shut the MIU at short notice because of staffing shortages, which has led to an unreliable service.”
She adds that the MIU and the urgent treatment centres (UTC) in Somerset, are run by very experienced Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENP). There is a national shortage of ENPs and significant gaps within the trust’s teams.
Professor Fowler says: “This means that unfortunately we have had to frequently temporarily close the MIU at short notice to move staff to the bigger units in Somerset. Symphony North Healthcare staff will not work in other units so these changes will lead to a more reliable service in Burnham-On-Sea.”
“We heard very strongly last year how important it is for the MIU to remain within the hospital. We have listened but worked with Symphony Healthcare to find a solution that provides a more reliable service in Burnham-On-Sea.”
Kerry White, managing director of Symphony Healthcare Services, says: “We look forward to collaborating with our Somerset FT colleagues to run the MIU over the course of September, before taking on responsibility for the service in October. This is a further opportunity for the Symphony North Healthcare team to support its registered patients, and the wider population, to receive appropriate and timely care for minor injury needs.”
Professor Fowler adds: “To ensure you are directed to the correct service for your needs, use NHS 111 or the NHS Quicker app. They will advise you of the best place to go for your needs including a pharmacy, your GP practice, or an MIU or UTC. They know what services are available locally and can advise you. If you have a life-threatening illness or injury, always call 999. If you mistakenly go to a UTC or MIU, you will delay your treatment.”
