MORE than 100 people have already been treated in just six days since the minor injuries unit in Dawlish reopened.
Nursing bosses say that is the number of patients they have been able to treat since April 2 when the facility was able to open again after four years.
Patients have been treated for various injuries and illnesses including sprains and minor burns.
The details were revealed at an official opening event attended by chairman of Torbay and South Devon Healthcare Trust Sir Richard Ibbotson, MP Anne Marie Morris, Mayor of Dawlish Rosie Dawson and Associate Director of Nursing Lisa Houlihan.
Organising the event were the Friends of Dawlish Hospital which has been at the forefront of campaigning for the unit to reopen.
Chairman of the Friends Geoff King, who spearheaded the determined campaign to get the unit open, said: ‘I am pleased to see it back open for the community and doing what it was intended to do.
‘People talk about cost but we should concentrate on giving value, avoiding accident and emergency saves the NHS money.
‘But above that, this is treating people locally, avoiding worries about transport and lengthy waits in continued discomfort and that is priceless to me.
‘I look forward to the capacity returning to the seven days a week as was originally commissioned 10 years ago.’
Sir Richard said: ‘It has been a real battle to get this unit reopen and we were well aware how important it is and we apologise to the community.
‘Now it is staffed correctly to be able to open it in an enduring way.
‘It is great it has been quite actively used already.
‘The booking idea has worked in Totnes which indicates it will work here.
‘Now we are ready and prepared for the increase in footfall as we near the summer.’
The reopening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and a specially made cake.
The unit, which opened 10 years ago, closed in 2020 when staff were redeployed due to the pandemic.
But NHS bosses have since struggled with recruitment.
Lisa explained this was due to the skilled nature of the staffing required to operate minor injuries units.
She said: ‘This is a specific role which requires specific skills, staff have to work on their own to assess, treat and discharge patients so they need particular training, the right experience and confidence to do that.
‘We needed to recruit staff with that skill set which has taken a long time.’
The unit is now open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm on an appointment basis.
The priority service means people are able to call 01626 895203 and book appointments for the same day.
Walk-in visitors will be supported but appointments will be prioritised so patients may be redirected.
Staff are able to treat a range of conditions including: soft tissue injuries, limb injuries, soft tissue infections, wounds such as bites and stings, lacerations requiring sutures, foreign bodies in eyes and ears and minor illnesses such as tonsillitis, ear infections and female urinary tract infections.
