A GP has strongly criticised plans to shut a minor injuries unit at a community hospital in Easingwold.

Dr Mike Potrykus, based at Tollerton, spoke out after health chiefs deferred a decision on the closure of the unit at St Monica’s Hospital until November to allow for further discussions with local clinicians.

The board of NHS North Yorkshire and York decided to press ahead with closing two other similar units, at The Lambert community hospital in Thirsk and The Friary in Richmond, after being told they were only being used by a handful of patients each week.

Dr Potrykus claimed the closure proposal at Easingwold was very short-sighted. He said: “They provide a very good service, they have very competent nursing staff, who are well supported and have direct contact with GPs if a problem arises.”

He claimed the units, which treated injuries such as burns, cuts, abrasions and foreign bodies in eyes, also worked out cheaper for the NHS than patients going instead to A & E, for example at York Hospital.

He suggested the savings should be used to increase training and support for staff in the units.

Amanda Brown, of NHS North Yorkshire and York, said the closure proposals had received support from GP representatives across the area, including the Hambleton and Richmondshire Commissioning Group and the Hambleton and Richmondshire Branch of North Yorkshire’s Local Medical Committee. Grahame Dickinson, chairman of the commissioning group, which made the initial recommendation to close the units, said all GP surgeries in Hambleton and Richmondshire were funded to provide minor injuries services from 8am to 6pm during the week.

“Community hospitals have a prime responsibility to look after their in-patients, who are often frail and elderly,” he said. “The number of minor injuries cases attending these units averages around one or two per day. To train nurses and retain their skills to treat minor injuries in line with current requirements is not viable.”