Dear Editor,

I was surprised to read in this newspaper on Wednesday, January 3rd that Ross Community Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) had not re-opened on Tuesday, January 2nd (as the Wye Valley Trust had advertised previously it would do so).

The Trust said it was “preparing a statement to let people know when it would re-open” and that this would be on their website.

Your readers should know that as far as I’m aware, no information regarding this cancellation of re-opening was given to hospital staff or our GP surgeries.

The first Ross residents knew anything about the closure was either when they tried to use the service or from the Ross Gazette.

The first decision to close taken on 30th November was also done with such short notice and a lack of communication.

I have been told that the staff who turned up on that morning were asked why they were in Ross and not in Hereford, having not been told the MIU was closed.

This all smacks of rural discrimination and will have a great impact on the people of the town especially the elderly, who as we all know are at a far greater risk this winter time of year, and those with young children who can become quite seriously ill in a very short time.

As for the Trust “letting us know on their website” – as an OAP myself I have spoken to over a dozen other OAPs and only TWO of them have computers or laptops. So how are people – especially the older generations – supposed to access the information?

Whilst Ross MIU was closed I was told an elderly lady aged 90 years and primary carer for her even older and frailer husband - had to wait on the floor where she had collapsed for four and a half hours before an ambulance (presumably from Hereford) arrived. Her spouse could do nothing for her except sit and worry about her.

Luckily this lady is okay now and was able to be sent home within 36 hours but it could have been far more serious for them both.

What an absolute shambles! Lack of communication but above all, lack of respect to the good people of Ross and to the wonderful staff at the hospital who give 100 percent to the care of their patients.

Maybe our MP should investigate such cavalier behaviour – after all it is OUR NHS.

Name and address supplied