We the undersigned object to the proposal by the SE Trust to close the Bangor and Newtownards Minor Injury Units. We call on the SE Trust to immediately withdraw their consultation and proposals which are not patient focused or patient centered, and call on the SE Trust to re-open the Bangor Minor Injury Unit and keep the existing Newtownards Minor Injury Unit open. Failure to do so will add further pressures to the already overstretched Ulster Hospital site with lack of proper Infrastructure in place, and GP services being effected across Ards and North Down, which will lead to further increased waiting times for patients and pressure on staff.

The SE Trust have announced plans to do a public consultation on The Future Provision of Urgent and Emergency Care Services - for the Ards and North Down area, this will effect everyone living across the North Down and Strangford areas.

What is at stake will be the proposed closure of the Bangor and Newtownards Minor Injury Units, and everything being centred on the already overstretched Ulster Hospital site.

The Residents of North Down and Strangford need to act now, to send a clear message to the management of the SE Trust that these proposals are not acceptable, and not supported by the local community.