Closure move for Malton Hospital (From Gazette & Herald)

Closure move for Malton Hospital

9:49am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

A NORTH Yorkshire hospital’s minor injuries unit could remain closed in the evenings to save £100,000, but may reopen at weekends.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will report on its plans for the unit at Malton Hospital next week, after NHS North Yorkshire and York reduced its hours last December.

The CCG is now proposing to maintain the evening closure but open the unit at weekends. It may also have more GP-led services in the mornings and a specialist nurse-led service in the afternoons, which the group said would help make the necessary savings while “responding to the needs of patients”.

A review of the unit has shown that, before its hours were reduced, it was mainly used during the day and only six patients on average used it after 6pm.

The CCG’s accountable officer, Simon Cox, said: “We feel this proposal responds to the concerns raised by residents whilst still helping make essential savings.”