Delight as decision to close eye clinics reversed

The eye clinic at Wheal Northey in St Austell was earmarked for closure

Eye patients in Cornwall are celebrating after a decision to close clinics was rescinded.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) had planned to close clinics in Helston and St Austell treating people with serious eye conditions and move them to hospitals in Treliske and Penzance.

However, RCHT said it had reversed the decision to shut the sites due to feedback it received about the "potential impact of the move".

Patients said they were relieved the sites would stay open as they provided vital treatment closer to where they lived.

'Limited vision'

Veronica Hearn, who receives treatment for macular degeneration at Wheal Northey in St Austell, said the extra travel and associated costs which would have been required for appointments in Truro had left one fellow patient in tears.

"I know, when talking to other patients, that there were many genuine concerns regarding the closure," she said.

"Following the treatment you are not able to drive with such limited vision so everyone has to rely on someone to take them and Truro is so much further for them to go."

Jill Bristow, who also has injections for macular degeneration at the site, said the reversal had made her very happy.

"I can't really describe how I'm feeling," said Mrs Bristow, who lives near Bodmin.

"I'm just so relieved that the decision has been rescinded."

Jill Bristow, with her husband George, said she was happy to hear the Wheal Northey clinic was staying

St Ives MP Andrew George said the reversal was "good news" for patients.

"Though I appreciate that the hospitals' trust has been placed under intolerable financial pressure, it's important that the government supports its own policy of moving services closer to patients in their communities," he added.

A RCHT spokesperson said it and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board agreed providing the clinics across the county was the "best way forward" after hearing concerns raised by patients.

Kim O'Keeffe, deputy chief executive and chief nursing officer at RCHT, said: "Our original plans were made with the best intentions to ensure specialist staff were available in central locations and to deliver more clinics.

"But once we heard from local people about how the proposed changes might affect them, it became clear that we must do what is right for our patients.

"We thank everyone who took the time to share their views and help shape this decision."