Falmouth minor injuries unit to close for three days (From Falmouth Packet)

Falmouth minor injuries unit to close for three days

4:20pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

The minor injuries unit at Falmouth Hospital will close for three days from 8am tomorrow morning.

Penninsula Community Health says that the unit will shut to allow the transfer of the two members of staff per shift across to RCHT Treliske Hospital.

The hospital in Truro has "ongoing bed pressures largely due to a significant outbreak of norovirus which has affected patients and staff".

The unit is planned to re-open to the public at 8am on Monday 11 March.

A PCH spokesman said the decision to move staff from Falmouth Minor Injury Unit is part of a "whole system response to the ongoing incident at Treliske".

Adding that the transferred staff will help in treating patients in the emergency department to "ensure optimum levels of patient safety are maintained across and in particular ambulance handovers can be managed efficiently".

PCH will work closely with NHS Kernow, local media and community networks to ensure that the public are aware to use alternative Minor Injury Units.

The closest available Minor Injury Units to Falmouth are located at:

• Camborne Redruth Community Hospital (8am-10pm 7 days).

• Helston Community Hospital (8am-8pm 7 days).

Kevin Baber, chief executive of PCH said: “Whilst we acknowledge the short term possible disruption closing Falmouth MIU over the weekend might bring, I would like to reassure patients and staff that we have taken this action in the best overall interests of patient care.

"I would like to thank the staff at Falmouth MIU, patients and members of the public for their cooperation and support.”