Health bosses say they blundered by suggesting minor injury services would be ‘centralised’ in Arbroath under an Angus-wide shake-up.
However, Forfar’s dedicated unit at Whitehills is still set to disappear under plans to be considered next week.
Instead, Arbroath Infirmary will be developed to handle more “complex” cases from people across the area.
And injuries such as sprains, burns and simple fractures will be dealt with under a new district-wide Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) model.
Health chiefs admit they have work to do to reassure patients over the changes after a public survey suggested minor injury delivery would be “centralised in Arbroath”.
Angus board to consider strategic minor injuries review
The planned changes will go before Angus Integration Joint Board next week.
It comes after the board agreed to a strategic review of minor injury and illness unit (MIIU) services earlier this year.
The review found approximately 21 people per day attend MIIUs at Whitehills in Forfar and Arbroath Infirmary based on seven-day delivery.
On average, individuals minor injury and illness services once every 10 years.
Around four out of ten people require an X-ray.
These are mainly carried out at Arbroath after the 20-year-old Whitehills machine broke and NHS Tayside does not have the money to replace it.
There were 578 responses to a consultation on the detailed proposals for MIIU delivery options.
Public raise transport issues in MIIU survey
Chief officer Jillian Galloway’s IJB report says clear themes emerged.
These included concerns about people from across Angus having to travel to Arbroath or Ninewells.
Public transport was described as inadequate and unreliable.
The report adds: “During engagement on the proposed preferred model for Minor Injury and Illness Services, the use of the phrase “centralised in Arbroath” may have unintentionally contributed to some misunderstanding.
“The wording did not fully reflect the strategic intent of the model.
“In practice, the proposal seeks to localise minor injury care by increasing access to appropriate services closer to home, with only more complex cases – such as those requiring diagnostic imaging – directed to Arbroath Infirmary.
“This clarification will be critical in future communication and implementation planning.
“Lessons learned from this phase will inform future engagement, ensuring clearer messaging, more consistent understanding, and continued efforts to build public confidence and trust.”
The MIIU report will be considered by Angus IJB on Wednesday.
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