Local voices, real impact: Seeking answers on service closures
- Healthwatch Somerset
- 32 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Healthwatch Somerset make sure local people's experiences help shape health and care services.
We sought answers from NHS Somerset after hearing concerns about access to local urgent care. The response sheds light on current pressures, plans to strengthen services, and the value of community feedback in informing decision-makers.
You said...
Many people told us they were concerned about unexpected closures at Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) across Somerset and the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital. People said they wanted to better understand why closures were happening and whether services would be available when they needed them.
We did...
We gathered this feedback and shared it anonymously with NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB). We asked for more information about the closures and what action was being taken to address them.
Following our enquiry, NHS Somerset provided a detailed response on behalf of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, helping to answer some of the concerns raised by local people.
What NHS Somerset told us
Kirsty Ash, Head of Urgent and Emergency Care Commissioning at NHS Somerset, said:
"Unfortunately, we are currently having to frequently close the UTCs and MIU at short notice for a day, or a portion of a day, at a time because of staffing shortages. Our UTCs are led by very experienced and skilled Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENP). There is a national shortage of ENPs and 24% of our ENP roles are currently unfilled."
NHS Somerset explained that staffing shortages are the main reason for many of the temporary closures. We also learned that some closures happen when a seriously ill patient attends a UTC and staff need to focus on stabilising them and arranging transfer to an Emergency Department.
The Trust said it is continuing to recruit staff, train its workforce and explore different ways of safely staffing services in the future.
There was also positive news for Burnham-on-Sea. NHS Somerset confirmed that the MIU will remain at Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital, while additional staff are recruited to strengthen the service. NHS Somerset acknowledged the importance of the MIU to local people and the concerns that have been raised about closures.
The impact of your feedback
Because local people took the time to share their experiences with us, we were able to take those concerns directly to decision-makers and secure a public response.
Your feedback has helped improve transparency around why closures occur, highlighted the impact these disruptions have on local communities, and ensured that the importance of local urgent care services remains firmly on the agenda.
Need urgent care?
If you need urgent treatment, NHS Somerset advises using NHS 111 or the NHS Quicker app. These services provide up-to-date information about available healthcare services, including any temporary UTC or MIU closures.
Keep sharing your experiences
Your voice makes a difference. If you have feedback about any health or care service in Somerset, please get in touch. Together, we can make sure local people's experiences continue to inform and improve services across the county.
