I recently went to Bideford Community Hospital for an x-ray. As a disabled person being able to go locally is a great benefit not having to go all the way to NDDH.
Whilst there I found out that the Minor Injuries Dept was closed during covid and has never reopened. This forces people to go to NDDH A&E.
This is based on having had several experiences of NDDH A&E including one family with an elderly relative.
If you have a minor injury and go to A&E at NDDH my experience was that I was pushed to the back of the queue.
I had a DVT and had to wait over 4 hours for a blood test that I was told would take 90 minutes. The system there is overloaded with too many patients.
I understand that major injuries need to be treated before minor ones but closing the community minor injuries departments is making A&E at NDDH so much worse.
I think we should reopen all the minor injuries departments quickly.
"The system is overloaded"
About: Bideford Hospital / Minor injury unit Bideford Hospital Minor injury unit Bideford EX39 3AG North Devon District Hospital / Accident and emergency North Devon District Hospital Accident and emergency Barnstaple EX31 4JB
Posted by Rich7986 (as ),
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