The Mayor of Ross, Councillor David Ravenscroft has expressed his disappointment after it emerged on Monday that the NHS Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG) and Wye Valley NHS Trust are still yet to make a decision on the future of the Ross Minor Injuries Unit.

Councillor Ravenscroft said: "We were hoping for a positive decision by the end of January or early February so this is disappointing news that they are yet to make a decision.

"This is dragging on and the people in the town want a decision to be made."

In a statement, the HCCG and the NHS Trust said: "We are assessing urgent care provision, which includes Minor Injury Units, across Herefordshire and are looking at a range of potential options.

"The next stage will see these options developed further with partners and patient representatives. Both organisations intend to make sure that there are high quality urgent care services in Herefordshire."

Dr Andy Watts, Chair of HCCG, said: "There are currently no firm proposals on the table and a number of options will need to be considered. We appreciate and understand the concern and interest shown by local people – indeed, Wye Valley NHS Trust has received petitions from the people of both Ross and Leominster, regarding Minor Injury Units at the community hospitals.

"We will ensure that local people will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals to help ensure health services across the county meet the needs of local communities."

Wye Valley NHS Trust's Chief Executive, Derek Smith, added: "We are working to establish a range of workable options and are working as speedily as possible to come up with a sustainable strategy for out of hours urgent care for Herefordshire."

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.