THE “very clear support” for not axing but upgrading Haslemere minor injuries unit (MIU) – now threatened by NHS urgent care policy changes – is acknowledged in the Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) report which will help shape future services.

But concern has been voiced that no mention is made of Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s pledge Haslemere’s minor injuries unit will not shut.

Local health chiefs have responded by saying that “discussion in Parliament” was not part of the engagement process.

More than 130 people turned out for the engagement workshop held at Haslewey last September, compared to turnouts of 30 or less at the other workshops held across the Guildford and Waverley patch. The report stated: “There is very clear support for the MIU and fear about how local residents would have their health care needs met should the services there be reduced partially or completely.

“Compared with other workshops, it was more difficult to engage participants in considering different urgent care services.”

MIU supporters told the CCG the service should be upgraded to an urgent treatment centre to conform with new NHS guidelines. They also said the unit took pressure off accident and emergency departments.

Haslemere Hospital League of Friends chairman Rose Parry said: “The engagement report overwhelmingly highlights the concern in Haslemere and the surrounding area regarding the importance of the MIU. There is an assumption locally that as Health Secretary Matt Hancock stated the MIU would not be closed, this promise would be upheld.

“Hopefully, there will be swift progress to a firm set of options to consider for an urgent treatment centre for Haslemere. The league will do its utmost in supporting any development in Haslemere Hospital. It will also challenge strongly any changes to local health care provision.”

Haslemere Health Group chairman Ian Doolittle commented: “The record of the workshop at Haslewey refers to the ‘huge concern’ regarding the potential future status of the MIU. It will be important to keep a close eye on what happens next. It would have been reassuring if the report had acknowledged the promise made by the Health Secretary.”

MP Jeremy Hunt said: “The fact that I achieved assurances over the MIU’s future from the Health Secretary himself, is the best result we could have hoped for. It is important that we now fully understand what any changes and upgrades to the facility will mean for the many thousands who use the MIU each year.”

Responding to concerns about the omission of Mr Hancock’s pledge, a CCG spokesman said: “Any discussion in Parliament was not part of this engagement process and therefore does not feature in this report.”

* See Better Care Together at: www.guildfordandwaverleyccg.nhs