A DECISION to halve the opening hours of Ellen Badger Hospital’s minor injuries unit in Shipston have been met with a backlash of opposition.

More than 100 people signed an online petition campaigning against the cuts in just 12 hours on Monday (December 15) evening and Tuesday morning (December 16), while councillors are working to try and reverse the announcement.

South Warwickshire Foundation Trust declared last week that the unit would no longer be open 24-hours-a-day and instead would open from 8am to 8pm.

Councillor Jeffrey Kenner, of Stratford District Council, who set up the petition, said: “At a time of unprecedented pressure on A&E services, with the four-hour waiting time target being missed and the local ambulance service barely coping with demand, it is extraordinary that the trust has implemented this foolhardy decision just before Christmas.

“The minor injuries unit is a much-needed and much-valued service serving our rural, local communities.

“We are calling on the trust to immediately suspend its decision and carry out a full consultation and explain itself.

“For a local issue the petition is being signed at a very rapid rate which shows it is important to local people.

“It’s time for the trust to think again, restore the full service at Ellen Badger, and publicise and invest in it to provide our rural communities with the health service they need.”

Councillor Richard Cheney, of Stratford District Council, speaking to the Journal last week, added: “This minor injuries unit is a valuable resource for the local community.

“The overnight provision has been very useful for those patients who have needed it.”

A spokesman for South Warwickshire Foundation Trust said last week: "The hours are being reduced due to a combination of factors; the very low number of patients presenting to the minor injuries unit at Ellen Badger outside of the hours 8am to 8pm and the limited staff available to maintain a safe service.

“Currently there is a maximum of one patient a week using this service outside of the new hours.

“The nursing staff are also responsible for patients on the ward and, therefore, it is only feasible within our resources to offer this service 8am to 8pm.

"The Trust did explore alternative options to keep the service as it was, however these were not practical and the decision was made to reduce the hours to ensure we are providing a safe service."

The Ellen Badger is a small community NHS hospital. Its facilities include an 18-bed ward with on-site physiotherapy, occupational therapy, x-ray services, out-patient clinics and a minor injuries unit. There is a day unit attached to the hospital together with community nursing services.

To sign the petition visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/73039