CUTTING the opening hours of the minor injuries clinic in Portland will put ‘money before lives,’ a nurse claims.

The Dorset Echo has learned that the Minor Injuries Unit at Portland plans to cut its 8am to 8pm daily hours to 10.30am to 6pm.

It comes after a review of health services across Dorset resulting in clinics run by Dorset Community Health Services (DCHS) in Bridport, Blandford, Swanage and on Portland facing cuts in their hours in order to save £300,000.

The minor injuries clinic in Weymouth will stay untouched.

The unit, which currently operates out of Portland Hospital, treats injuries and for many is the first point of contact in an emergency.

Nurse Sylvia Bradley, who is a Portland town councillor, slammed the move and said it could potentially ‘put lives at risk’.

She said: “Just closing it for a few hours will make a big difference here because even a clinic for minor injuries is potentially saving lives and helping free up the main A&E department.

“I think someone needs to stop and think before making these cuts willy nilly.

“Cuts to medical services puts money before lives.”

Coun Bradley said she would be interested in speaking to her fellow councillors and forming a petition to stop the cuts.

This was also backed by Portland Mayor David Thurston who said: “My gut reaction is that this is a sad thing for Portland.

“Cutting the hours will make it hard for people who work in the day to be able to attend.

“Portland is always affected very greatly by these cuts because of the nature of an island – people can feel very shut off.”

He added that he will listen to public opinion and if there is resistance to the cuts he would back a protest against the cuts.

A NHS insider said: “Patients often go in to a minor injuries unit with what turn out to be acute problems, which would not otherwise be picked up.

“It is madness. There are also worries about redundancies.”

Royal College of Nursing regional officer Kathy Ibbotson said: “We have been approached by members with concerns.

“We are seeking clarification as there seems to be some confusion about whether this is permanent or a pilot.”

Dorset Community Health Services said that it constantly reviews the services it provides to ensure they meet the needs of the local population and are cost effective.

A spokesman said: “As a result of a review that has been undertaken on the Minor Injuries Units, we have drawn up a pilot project to test the feasibility of opening between 10.30 and 6pm, which is in line with when they are most used by the public.

“No final decisions have been taken and the pilot will last six months, starting on 1 February 2011.”

He said that staff and public will be consulted and taken into account when final proposals.

He added: “Dorset Community Health Services would stress that there are no current plans to make any staff redundant.”