Petition launched after 'sudden closure' of Launceston minor injuries unit for summer
The MIU at the community hospital won't reopen again until October
A petition has been launched and a campaign group has been set up after it was announced that the Launceston minor injuries unit would close over the summer.
The MIU at the community hospital is now shut and won't reopen again until October.
Bosses insist that the move is temporary and that staff have been relocated, mostly to Liskeard.
In a statement, NHS Kernow added that they should have done more to share this decision with the local community and apologised for the lack of communication.
You can find more information and the full statement here.
But the Launceston MIU Campaign Group claims there was no explanation or notice given about the 'sudden closure'.
They also want an explanation as to why the decision was made.
Now over 1,400 people have signed a petition calling for the MIU to be reopened immediately.
You can find the petition here.
"After hearing the damning news last Monday morning that the Launceston Hospital MIU had closed without warning, and would remain closed until October, a group of concerned citizens came together to protest and take concerted action to reinstate this essential service.
"We have organised an online petition which will be presented to NHS Kernow, NHS Foundation Trust, Cornwall Council, our MP and any other organisation of interest. The petition went online on Wednesday 28th July 2021. To date there are nearly 1400 signatures in support of reopening our MIU immediately.
"We understand the issues around Covid and staff shortages and we recognise that all health services are being adversely affected. What we do not accept is that Launceston should suffer disproportionately in Cornwall.
"We know that other MIUs in Cornwall have closed occasionally during Covid because of staff shortages and illnesses, but Launceston has the only MIU that has suddenly, with no consultation, been closed down for 2 whole months during the busy summer season.
"An Extraordinary Meeting of Cornwall Council's Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee was 'called in' by concerned Cornwall Councillors. They were unsuccessful. This has to be addressed.
"Please sign our petition and make sure that Launceston patients are fairly treated by the NHS."
Launceston MIU Campaign Group