Minor injuries units under threat

The minor injuries unit at Saltash is one of six under threat

Controversial plans to close six minor injury units in Cornwall at night will come under scrutiny on Tuesday.

Critics claim it will mean some patients being forced to make long journeys to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.

However, health officials claim the units, used to treat so-called walking wounded, see only a handful of patients at night.

County councillors will consider the impact on local people.

It feels a bit like a short term cut to meet a sudden budgetary crisis Matthew Steed, Bodmin GP

The units under threat are at: Launceston, Liskeard, Stratton, Bodmin, Newquay and Saltash.

Councillor George Edwards said: "We've got old people who can't get an ambulance."

"We can't get hold of a doctor for love nor money. If they have an asthma attack or a fall in their home they can't even get to A&E at Treliske."

Bodmin GP Matthew Steed said: "It doesn't seem to fit in with any of the planning we've had over the last few years and it feels a bit like a short term cut to meet a sudden budgetary crisis."

Spreading demand

Carol Williams, from the Central Cornwall Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "We really think that for the nine months of the year when less than two people are attempting to use the units it's not a good use of health care resources.

"The primary purpose for us is to ensure that we're delivering effective health care.

"We must consider how we are going to meet the demand of up to 60 people a day needing to use the unit over the summer months and how to spread our staff thinly over a 24-hour period."

The closure of the units in north and east Cornwall will save £135,000 a year.

At Newquay, the saving will be £50,000 a year; although the Central Cornwall PCT says it hopes a paramedic will staff the Newquay unit at night during the summer season and on bank holidays.