The future of a minor injuries unit at Altrincham Hospital has been called into question again after it was forced to close its doors during the ‘pingdemic’.
The facility has been the subject of persistent rumours of permanent closure for a number of years, but the pressure of staff shortages during the pandemic has been causing real issues recently.
The unit was forced to close last month due to staff shortages caused by the coronavirus ‘pingdemic’ and a need to redirect other staff to busier hospital sites – as large numbers of staff were forced to self-isolate at home after receiving instructions to do so from the NHS app.
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The closure came just a month after the unit had reopened its doors following another temporary closure due to the pandemic.
To try and finally put rumours of the permanent closure of the unit to bed, local MP and the Conservative Party’s 1922 committee chairman Sir Graham Brady has given locals some peace of mind.
He said: “I have been given an absolute assurance that the MIU will reopen as soon as staff pressures ease.
“The problem was apparently caused by staff being ‘pinged’ and having to self-isolate (which they no longer have to).”
Following a change in government guidelines from Monday August 16, those who have received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will no longer be forced to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who tests positive for covid-19.
Instead, they will be able to take a PCR test and, so long as that comes out negative, they are able to avoid self-isolation.
It is hoped that staff will now not be forced to stay at home in the event of coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for covid.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) runs the minor injuries unit in Altrincham hospital.
A spokesperson for MFT said the temporary closure was to redirect staff and resources to Wythenshawe hospital, where an ‘increased demand for services [is] being experienced’.
It is understood that all outpatient services will continue to be provided from Altrincham Hospital.
MFT did not respond when approached for comment regarding the future of the minor injuries unit.
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