Upset about reduced opening hours at minor injuries unit in Newquay

Residents and health campaigners have criticized a decision to cut opening hours for a minor injuries unit (MIU) in Newquay ahead of the summer season.

Since March, the facility has been restricted to opening from 08:00 to 20:00 Friday to Tuesday, instead of seven days a week as previously.

Resident Phillipa Mitchell called the decision “ridiculous.”

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) said the “temporary change” was made to “support our staff and ensure safe patient care”.

Mrs Mitchell said: “Newquay is a huge community, new homes are being built all the time and not only that we have a big tourist season coming up.

“Cutting (MIU’s) hours during peak season is ridiculous.”

Visit Cornwall estimates that Newquay’s resident population of around 25,000 doubles during the summer holidays.

Newquay Mayor Drew Creek said the timing of reduced hours was problematic.

The Green Party councilor said: “Having a minor injuries unit in Newquay is really important for all those visitors but also for the residents.

“Otherwise they would have to go to other parts of the health system, such as Treliske (Royal Cornwall Hospital) in Truro.”

Cornish health campaigner Marna Blundy said: “It’s particularly upsetting when we know they (NHS) are requiring care at work so people don’t have to travel too far to get care.

“So for that to happen, it’s the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve, in that people don’t have to travel long distances to access healthcare.

“So it’s really tragic.”

CPFT said the reduction in hours was due to staffing due to vacancies and staff illness.

In a statement, the trust said: “In line with our operating policies, opening hours remain under constant review and we are allocating resources across the county to keep the busiest units open and able to safely treat as many as possible people.

“Recently recruited staff for the Minor Injury Unit in Newquay are currently undertaking the required clinical training which takes 12 months to complete.”

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Since 2010, we have invested more in the NHS than at any other time in its history.

“We will continue to increase NHS spending above inflation in every year of the next Parliament.”

A Labor Party spokesman said: “The last Labor government reduced waiting times by using the private sector, increasing staff numbers and spreading good practice.

“To end the threat of a two-tier health system, we will use spare capacity in the independent sector to ensure patients are treated faster.”

The Lib Dems said: “We will give everyone the right to see a GP within seven days, as well as free personal care for elderly or disabled people at home.

The party said its proposals would be funded by reversing tax cuts for banks and closing tax loopholes exploited by the wealthiest individuals.