Petition launched online for a minor injuries unit in Didcot

The group is part of the national organisation, the People’s Assembly Against Austerity which campaigns to end cuts to public services.

Minor Injury Units (MIU) are for injuries such as deep cuts, broken bones, severe sprains, minor burns and scalds.

At the moment, anyone in Didcot with such an injury needs to travel seven miles to the Abingdon MIU or, for more severe injuries or life-threatening emergencies, to the Accident and Emergency department at the JR hospital in Oxford.

Campaigners from Didcot Against Austerity say that, with Didcot growing so rapidly, the town should have its own MIU.

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In April, the group took to Didcot shopping centre to talk with residents and gather support for the idea.

Members of the public signed the group’s flip chart in support of having a MIU in Didcot and many residents said they were 'fed up' with having a lack of facilities as the town expanded and population increased.

Didcot Against Austerity has now set up an online petition to grab the attention of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and gather at least 300 signatures of those in favour of a MIU.

Didcot Against Austerity co-convenor, Marie Walsh suggested a minor injuries unit in Didcot could help take the pressures off health staff across the county in doctors’ surgeries and in A&E.

On the online petition page, it explains that Didcot’s population is about 32,800 and explains that with surrounding villages there are more than 44,000 patients registered with its three GP surgeries.

Sign the petition via: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/didcot-needs-a-minor-injuries-unit-now.

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