More opening hours for Bognor's War Memorial

NHS officials intend to increase the times when patients can go along to the minor injuries unit at the War Memorial Hospital.

The extension of the unit's current 9am to 5pm weekday opening will take effect from next spring on a pilot basis. Details about the additional hours have yet to be revealed.

The unit is run in conjunction with St Richard's Hospital in Chichester. It is used by about 12,000 patients a year.

Demands to make its services more widely available over weekends and bank holidays have been made over the years to enable more Bognor residents to be seen locally.

Head of community hospitals south Gareth Howells, of the War Memorial Hospital's operator West Sussex Primary Care Trust, said: "During the past few months, we have been working to prepare a business case to extend the opening hours of the minor injuries unit.

"The unit at the War Memorial Hospital is central to our plan to ensure people in West Sussex have services close to where they live.

"We would encourage people to use it, rather than travelling longer distances for treatment. It is important people remember our minor injuries unit at Bognor can provide treatment for a range of conditions.

"Many people go to accident and emergency with minor injuries, when they could be usually treated much more quickly at our minor injuries unit.

"It is run by a team of highly-qualified nurse practitioners who have experience and expertise in treating minor injuries, including cuts, grazes, sprains, fractures, bites and infected wounds."

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