MORE people have raised concerns that there will no longer be any doctors working in the minor injuries unit at Cirencester Hospital.

The change in policy, effective from tomorrow, will see experienced nurses taking over doctors’ roles which hospital bosses say will bring services into line with the six other county minor injury units.

Gloucestershire Care Commissioning Group (GCCG) said the change will save £366,000 which will be reinvested into local services.

The move sparked fears among residents, who believe standards of care may drop and that it could heap pressure on nurses.

Sheila Dickson, from South Cerney, said: “The powers that be should be increasing the size of our hospital not trying to close it as this is where this sort of action is leading. The Hospital League of Friends have fought to keep this hospital going, we did lose the maternity wing after a long fight let’s hope we don’t lose the whole hospital.”

A Cirencester woman, who asked not to be named, said: “If a patient takes a turn for the worse, the hospital will have to call 999 for an ambulance to take them to another hospital to see someone.”

Hospital executives dismissed concerns that quality of care could slip, explaining that the number of “highly qualified” emergency nurse practitioners would increase.

Mary Hutton, accountable officer for GCCG, said: “These arrangements have worked very successfully in other hospitals in the county. Speciality doctors will continue to provide in-hours cover to the wards (Monday to Friday).

“They are also going to work additional hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The local GP out of hours service will provide cover at all other times as it does at all of the other county community hospitals.”

Susan Field, director of nursing at Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, said: “The emergency nurse practitioners who lead our minor injury and illness units (MIIU) are extremely skilled, qualified and experienced nurses and I have confidence in their abilities to continue providing a high-quality and safe service.

“Cirencester MIIU will continue to be an essential component of health services in the south Cotswolds area.”

“MIIUs are one part of a wide range of services available to people, including pharmacies, GPs and emergency departments and the Trust will continue to work with commissioners to promote all of these services so that people access the right service for the right reason."