'Shock' at closure of eye clinic in Cornwall

George and Jill Bristow said they were concerned treatment at a larger facility might mean the loss of a personal touch from staff

An eye clinic at a community health centre in Cornwall is to close.

The clinic at Wheal Northey in St Austell has treated many people with serious eye conditions across mid and north Cornwall, but treatment is moving to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, near Truro.

Jill Bristow, a regular outpatient of the clinic, said she had been "shocked that we received no notice that it was closing".

A Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said "our priority will always be to ensure patients continue to receive safe and effective treatment within nationally approved time frames" when considering changing clinic locations.

All glaucoma patients who attended Wheal Northey are being told that treatment has moved to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, with the rest of the clinic's services understood to be transferring within the next few weeks.

One patient told the BBC that they had been informed macular degeneration treatment was due to move on 1 October.

Jill Bristow said she had been told her treatment would now be carried out in Truro

Mrs Bristow lives near Bodmin and has been receiving injections for macular degeneration at the clinic.

She said: "It's a horrific thought that you've got to have injections directly into your eyes, but I actually look forward to going to Wheal Northey because they are so friendly."

Her husband George said he felt the same way as "they put you at ease there".

He added: "It's a horrendous process.

"Jill's got used to the people there and is confident to go there because they are so friendly.

"In a bigger hospital, that's not going to happen."

The change means she will have to travel nearly 20 miles (32km) to attend appointments every seven weeks.

"They keep wanting to get services into the community, yet this is doing the opposite," Mr Bristow concluded.

The clinic's closure comes after the NHS said the minor injuries unit in Launceston would remain closed until staff could be trained.

Bosses have also asked holidaymakers to stay away from the Truro emergency department.