A DECISION on whether to scrap Minor Injury Units in North Essex has been delayed.

Health leaders from the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were due to make a recommendation on the future of walk-in and minor injury units on May 30.

One option is to close the services provided in Colchester, Harwich and Clacton while another is to set up a new unit serving Colchester and Tendring.

A third option is to leave all three as they are.

Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for the under-threat services to remain open and demonstrations have been staged in Clacton and Harwich.

Campaigners are worried one of the units in the Tendring could be scrapped in favour of Colchester’s.

A decision on the future of the services will now not be made until a board meeting on Tuesday, June 27.

A spokesman for the CCG said: “The reason for this postponement is that the original date falls within the pre-election period.

“This is a period during which government departments, local authorities and the NHS are restricted from publicly discussing any decisions that might be regarded as politically sensitive until after the general election on June 8.”

Dr Gary Sweeney, chairman of the CCG, added: “On behalf of the CCG, I apologise if this causes any inconvenience to local people.

“This will be an important meeting for the CCG and for our local population so we need to ensure any decisions that are made do not interfere with political processes.”

The board meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at the Venture Centre, in Bromley Road, Lawford, at 2pm.

A full agenda will be published online one week before the meeting takes place.