One of the problems for Pod depts is the fact that they have historically provided a limited service to rural/semi rural populations in substandard buildings.
Most of the other AHP services have been provided in Community Hospitals, Health Centres and GP Practices.
So when there is a review of services suitability of premises comes into being.
So many of the substandard clinics close and the service is then centered on the local Community hospital etc.
Certainly in my area the fetid crappy old Caravan has been withdrawn and the service is now making better use of Community Hospitals and ensuring the future of the service and the Hospitals.
If people choose to live in a rural area then that is their choice.
They must have made an intelligent decision by weighing up the pros and cons of that decision.
Another thing regarding Minor Injury Units closing at night.
A local PCT recently did an audit of use of the MIU.
Barely a handful of people used the Night service per month, so the impact upon the population is minor.
If it is an emegency then 999 is the correct way to deal with it.
But it is an interesting insight into the nature of the problem. I assume money was thrown at a problem initially to provide the service --- as per usual when a service like this is provided, demand will always outstrip supply, so providing more money will not solve the problem. Its all about rationing services in in the context of this demand. It also appears that one of the problems with the Minor Injury Unit was the demand for the service from those who should not have been using the service.
Now we are seeing a good example of bad rationing of he limited health care $ ---- rationing by public relations - ie "the angry campaigners"