Sally Slade, managing director Health and Social Care Delivery, Devon PCT, writes:
I refer to the front page story in last week's Mid-Devon Advertiser entitled: Hospital turns away fall victim.
Mrs Davies presented to the minor injury unit at Newton Abbot Hospital having had a fall.
Her injuries were fully assessed by one of the nursing team who felt that she would require an x-ray of her arm. Unfortunately the x-ray facilities were not open as it was a bank holiday, and therefore advised Mrs Davies that she would have to attend Torbay Hospital for an x-ray.
Before sending the patient to Torbay the nurse gave Mrs Davies some painkillers for the pain and placed her arm in a broad arm sling.
Therefore Mrs Davies was actually assessed, treated and referred to another hospital for further investigation and treatment. She was not turned away at all.
The article states that the patient thought that since the hospital was 'brand new' she thought someone there could help.
We feel that the patient received a high standard of care, was referred on appropriately, and are proud that we can offer this service locally to the community.
May we take this opportunity to remind readers that we do not have an accident and emergency department at the hospital, but a minor injury unit in which we are able to see and treat a wide range of minor injuries such as cuts, minor burns, sprains and simple limb fractures.
The MIU is open from 8am to 10pm, 365 days per year and x-ray facilities are available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.