NEWQUAY Town Council is putting pressure on health bosses to restore the Minor Injury Unit to its full opening hours.

The authority has voted to write a letter to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) chair John Govett and CEO Kate Shields.

It follows reports of healthcare requirements for young children and the elderly being delayed and “suffering increased” following the part closure this year of the unit at St Thomas Road.

The opening hours at the minor injury unit were reduced to five days a week in March as a “short term measure” due to staffing challenges but the facility is still closed on a Wednesday and Thursday.

The trust stated recruited staff are undergoing the necessary clinical training, which takes 12 months to complete.

Residents and councillors have spoken out against the decision to reduce the opening times at the minor injury unit as it needed more than ever due its increasing population, which is exacerbated during the summer months when tens of thousands of holidaymakers descend on the town.

They also fear the reduced opening hours has a major impact on the Royal Cornwall Hospital, which struggles to cope especially during the summer.

Newquay Town Council decided to write to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board at its meeting on Wednesday.

Mayor Drew Creek said: “As mayor I have been made aware of a number of really disappointing incidents of patients as young as five and as old as 80 plus having their urgent healthcare requirements being delayed and suffering increased following the part closure of the Minor Injury Unit this year.

“This just is not good enough and our residents deserve better.

“Given our high visitor numbers this site is also crucial for visitors to our town and plays a key part in keeping the pressure off Treliske.”

The motion the town council stated: “Newquay Town Council and its residents understand the challenges around qualified staffing, which have led to a reduction in opening days and hours of Newquay Hospital.

“Newquay Hospital is however a key part of local healthcare infrastructure, and we call on Cornwall and ICB Board to take immediate action to reopen this site to its full operating hours.

“Localised healthcare is key to the ICB and wider NHS England strategy and given that both local GPs and pharmacies are either under or looking to start collective action it is vital that the ICB step in. Newquay has the largest electorate of anywhere in Cornwall and with higher levels of demographic deprivation than in many other parts of Cornwall that have seen investment and support.

“We ask that the ICB chair and CEO engage directly with the town council over this issue as a key stakeholder and put in place a clear timeline to get our community MIU open full time.”

A spokesperson from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “In March 2024, we amended the opening hours of Newquay Minor Injury Unit to 8am to 8pm, Fridays to Tuesdays.

“This temporary change was made to support our staff and ensure safe patient care. It reflects the times when the unit is busier and remains in place.

“Following a successful recruitment campaign earlier this year, new staff are undergoing the necessary clinical training which takes 12 months to complete.”

A spokesperson from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: “NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board will respond to the letter from Newquay Town Council once it has been officially received, following our usual process.”