Therese is seeking an urgent meeting with the NHS boss for the East of England, Anne Radmore, to express her concerns on patients struggling to be referred to the Felixstowe Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), particularly via the NHS 111 service.
Last month the MIU moved to an appointment based unit, not a walk in given on average how few people used the service each week. When this was first proposed, Therese was assured by the then Health Minister, Steve Barclay MP, that they could still access same-day treatment by calling NHS 111 or via their GP surgeries. This is a service that is also advertised by the Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG. However, Therese has now received correspondence from concerned constituents that suggest NHS 111 are refusing to make the referrals, citing a lack of access to a patient's NHS record, which they require to make the appointment.
Therese said: "Something seems to have gone very wrong here. When I met the Health Minister last year I was reassured that by calling NHS 111, patients could get same day access to the Felixstowe Minor Injuries Unit. I am very concerned that this is now not the case for patients."
"I am seeking an urgent meeting with the Head of the NHS for the East of England. I will work with the Mayor and our county councillors on this important issue. I also plan to organise a public meeting so patients can get some direct answers from the NHS top brass."
