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Fears Pontefract’s night time casualty department could close for good
FEARS are growing that the night time closure of Pontefract hospital’s casualty unit could lead to its total shut down.
Health chiefs who have attended a meeting in Selby on the continued night-time closure of the casualty unit at Pontefract were unable to say when the situation may end.
But now, Selby district councillor and Whitley ward member, Gillian Ivey has told the Selby Times: “We want our A&E back. But there’s another level to this. The worry is this is the thin end of the wedge. Are they going to close the department completely?”
County councillor Jim Clark, who chaired last week’s meeting, said it was clear the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust was in “considerable difficulties”.
The Trust has stated it has always been clear in its intention to reopen fully “as soon as we were able to recruit sufficient doctors to provide safe care for patients.” The Trust will report back to councillors in June.
One new doctor had been recruited, but they need six in total for round the clock cover to be re-established. The department has been closed between the hours of 10pm and 8am every night since last November.
The closure has caused consternation in the southern wards of the Selby district where people go to Pontefract as their local A&E. They must now travel to A&E departments in Wakefield or even Dewsbury for night-time treatment.
Coun Ivey said as well as people having to go to those hospitals at night, there is an associated concern that families of anyone hospitalised further afield could find visiting difficult.
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Weather for Goole
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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Wind direction: East
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