Hemel Urgent Care Centre night closure not acceptable

Liberal Democrat Cllr Adrian England says: "Local people have been left in the dark on the night time closure of the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) finding it closed at night."

Back in December, when Hemel UCC suddenly began to be closed between 10pm and 8am each night there was an outcry. West Herts health bosses went on air to calm Dacorum residents' fears.

On 19th December NHS Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group stated "the future of the overnight service will be reviewed early in 2017", implying a re-opening after the Christmas holiday period. Since then there has been no further information update and the UCC night time closures have continued.

Fed up with a lack of information on 10th April Lib Dem Cllr Adrian England asked for an update asking Herts Valley CCG "What date will Hemel UCC be returned to 24hr?"

The vague but telling answer from @HVCCG was eventually posted on Twitter on 13th April: "We're working with people to explore all options for Urgent Care following a public survey. We hope to announce a decision around June 2017."

Cllr England said, "So now it is confirmed there will be no update until the 2nd half of the year!"

Local Liberal Democrats will continue to work critically but constructively, asking awkward questions to make sure the pressure is kept up to see the Urgent Care Centre is re-opened all day and all night so local people get the basic services they deserve and that they were guaranteed in 2009 when the A&E was closed.

Note: NHS Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group are responsible for making sure the Urgent Care Centre runs properly within Hemel Hospital.