Every day, numerous people seek help from our hospitals. My mother was one such patient. Exhausted after waiting 12 long hours in A & E at Morriston Hospital, she was left unable to speak, laugh, or function as her usual vibrant self. She was one among many patients stuck in the crowded waiting rooms, many of whom had minor injuries but were forced to come to Morriston due to the unavailability of 24-hour services elsewhere.

This not only puts an undue burden on patients but also pressures local hospitals into providing rushed, error-prone care. Case in point, my mother was given contradictory results to her blood test and CT scan by two different doctors. This lapse is impermissible and worrying.

Despite being a bustling hub servicing a dense population, Neath Port Talbot Hospital's Minor Injury Unit remains closed after 9 pm. This contributes significantly to the excessive patient influx to Morriston Hospital, which is already grappling with patient care issues.

Strikingly, NHS data reveals that 40% of emergency hospital attendances could be managed at the same or lower cost in the community, reserving hospital capacity for true emergencies and complex care (NHS 2013). Considering these figures, a 24-hour operational Minor Injury Unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital could significantly reduce the burden on Morriston Hospital and ensure more accurate, speedy diagnosis for patients.

For the well-being of every potential patient and to ensure better delivery of healthcare, we implore the concerned authorities to extend the operational hours of Neath Port Talbot Hospital's Minor Injury Unit to full time. Please sign this petition and stand together for improved medical care in our community.