Extra meeting organised to discuss future of Cannock minor injuries unit

Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will keep the unit in the town open, but want to reduce the opening hours as part of efficiency savings.

The GP led group had originally planned to shut the unit based at the Brunswick Road site in a bid to save £750,000, but had a change of heart.

It emerged earlier this week that more than 19,000 visits were made to the site last year.

Under the plans the unit based at Cannock Hospital would open from 11am to 7pm to deal with injuries such as bumps, bruises and cuts instead of the current times from 8am until midnight.

A GP out-of-hours service would run overnight from 6.30pm to 8am to deal with minor illnesses, for example if someone has a high temperature.

Bosses say figures show the number of people who use the facility after 7pm drops significantly.

The extra meeting has been arranged after residents said they wanted another gathering to take place in an evening.

It will be held on September 24 at the Civic Ballroom at Cannock Chase District Council, between 6pm and 8pm.

The public are invited to attend.

CCG Chairman Dr Johnny McMahon said: "We have listened to public feedback and arranged an evening meeting in Cannock for later this month and I would urge people to attend so they can really have their say."

Another meeting is also being held on September 18 at the Rugeley Rose Theatre and Community Hall between 6pm and 8pm.

To book a place at one of the events, request a hard copy of the document, or to find out more please email miu.feedback@staffordshirecss.nhs.uk or call 0300 404 2999 ext: 6852.

The consultation is also running online at cannockchaseccg.nhs.uk