The future of Bovey Tracey Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) looked even more in doubt this week after Phil Heywood, locality manager for Teignbridge Primary Care Trust, said that he could not guarantee that the facility would reopen in the future. Last year opening hours of the unit were cut and currently it is temporarily closed, much to the anger of many local and councillors, who believe that it is vital to the town. Mr Heywood was invited to Bovey Tracey Town Council meeting by town mayor Cllr George Gribble and town clerk Terry Westwood on Monday and said he could not confirm the MIU would reopen as by the time the temporary closure finishes the unit will no longer be run by Teignbridge Primary Care Trust. Instead Devon Primary Care Trust will take over the helm and may have different concerns and values. However, town mayor, Cllr Gribble is hopeful for the MIU's future. 'We certainly want the MIU to reopen. Mr Heywood addressed the committee and wanted to reassure us that it was closed temporarily,' he said after the meeting. 'Mr Hayward did say that the closure was temporary and although he couldn't guarantee it we will be looking to forward positively. 'The doctors in the town are being very helpful as they realise that there is a need for such a unit. 'The population of Bovey Tracey is growing and so is demand for services, but they seem to be decreasing.' Town and county councillor Sally Morgan also stated that Mr Heywood said that he would fight a permanent closure. 'He tried to be as honest as he could with us. However, last year Mr Hayward assured us that the reduction of opening hours would improve services, but 12 months down the line there are no definite answers regarding the MIU in Bovey Tracey.' Cllr Morgan started a petition to keep both Bovey Tracey and Ashburton MIU's open. In less than two weeks she has more than 1,000 signatures. At the end of the consultation process she will give the petition to Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross to present to parliament.
