A petition has been created to reinstate Newark Hospital\u2019s A&E after its creator claimed its opening hours could \u2018make a difference between life and death\u2019.<\/p>\n
Eli Wood, of Balderton, shared his concerns on the current state of healthcare accessibility in Newark through a Change.org petition.<\/p>\n
Newark\u2019s A&E department closed down in 2011 and was replaced with a 24-hour urgent treatment centre until the Covid-19 pandemic, when opening hours were reduced.<\/p>\n
Eli Wood next to Newark Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre sign. Photo supplied.<\/p>\n
Since then, residents have been battling for years to try to upgrade the healthcare services in Newark to 24-hour services again, but in 2024, NHS leaders have decided to expand the opening hours.<\/p>\n
The Urgent Treatment Centre is currently open seven days a week, between 8am and 10.30pm, with the last patient being admitted at 9.30pm.<\/p>\n
However Eli, an operations manager for events medical company Shires Medical Services Ltd, doesn\u2019t believe the expansion is enough for Newark\u2019s growing population.<\/p>\n
Despite not having been impacted directly by the lack of an A&E in Newark, he and his colleagues are responsible for supporting families and getting them to the hospital where their loved one has been taken.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis influx of new residents has put unprecedented strain on our existing medical facilities, which are simply not equipped to handle the burgeoning demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe local community is growing at an expeditious rate, yet our health infrastructure is lagging far behind, creating a serious gap in essential healthcare services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision to downgrade Newark Hospital has left our community vulnerable and underserved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the closure of the A&E, Kings Mill Hospital, which is over 20 miles away, has the nearest A&E department.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndividuals in urgent need of medical attention face potentially dangerous delays that could mean the difference between life and death,\u201d added Eli.<\/p>\n
The petition, calling upon Nottinghamshire County Council and healthcare authorities to \u2018urgently\u2019 review and reconsider their decision regarding Newark Hospital.<\/p>\n
It is hoped the petition will reach 10,000 signatures so that it can be reviewed in Parliament.<\/p>\n