THE Friary Ward inpatient facility for patients with dementia and other long-term conditions has been temporarily closed and the NHS has put forward two options:

Use beds at Ashfield Community Hospital, Lincoln or Grantham. Support more people at home.

Use beds at Ashfield Community Hospital for challenging behaviour and a small "step down" unit in Newark for less serious cases. Support more people at home.

There are also two options to replace Newark's A&E:

A Minor Injuries Unit Plus open 24/7 with links for consultants to give advice remotely and an out-of-hours GP service.

A Minor Injuries Unit Plus open from 7am until midnight, staffed by specially trained nurses to deal with minor injuries and illnesses. There would be less access to diagnostic services but an enhanced out-of-hours GP service.