Changes of opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey & District Cottage Hospital

The Department of Health and Social Security has announced that, following professional and clinical advice, the Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital will, with effect from 25th February 2008, close at 8.00pm each day.

Hon W E Teare MHK, Minister for Health and Social Security said,

“This decision has been made following careful consideration of the advice I have received. The unit is staffed by highly qualified and talented nurse practitioners and we want to ensure that they are available for patients at the time those patients need them the most. It is apparent that there is limited patient need for the service between 8.00pm and 10.00pm. It is crucial that the staff are able to maintain their skills and competence and the nurse practitioners are having little patient contact during this time. We want to enable them to have the opportunity to develop their nursing practice for the benefit of patients. The Department’s commitment to the continued provision of high quality patient care is at the heart of this decision.”

The Minister went on to say,

“We continue to be fully committed to developing services for patients at Ramsey & District Cottage Hospital (RDCH). This is not the thin end of the wedge, quite the reverse this strengthens and refocuses the services delivered through the hospital. In the last year, RDCH has played an essential role in reducing waiting lists for gynaecology and ophthalmology. It is vital part of delivering health services in the Isle of Man. It remains and will continue to be a key provider of healthcare to our population. However, we must also be mindful of the professional and development needs of our staff who want to give high standards of patient care and we cannot stretch them too thinly”.

From now until 25th February we will be informing the general public of this change.

Alternative care is available for patients requiring treatment after 8.00pm through the MEDS out-of-hours GP Service, Noble’s Hospital or the Emergency Services as appropriate.