A promise to bring back a pioneering overnight service at Stratton's Community Treatment Centre will be fulfilled, thanks to the efforts of dedicated health workers and support from the community.
Back in January 2020 it was announced that the treatment centre would be moved out of Stratton until the end of February to meet the unprecedented demand in health and care services across Cornwall.
The pilot service, which was developed in partnership with the nearby community, launched last August as an innovative solution to bring back overnight services to the hospital as a result of being unable to recruit nurses back in 2017.
The overnight service will resume on Sunday 1 March and will run until 22 August 2020.
The treatment centre will continue to be staffed, as it has been since the launch of the trial, by Kernow Health CIC, which provides the urgent care service NHS 111 to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in partnership with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
John Govett, independent chair of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership, said: "It was necessary to temporarily close the Stratton Community Treatment Centre during the very busy winter period to ensure that the needs of the whole county were met and services were available where there was the greatest demand.
"Behind the scenes everyone across health and care has been working not only to provide the highest and safest of services to people who need treatment but also to make sure we can get back to business as usual as quickly as possible. I'm delighted that we are able to fulfil the promise we made to re-open Stratton's overnight service.
"I would like to thank everyone across the health and care partnership for their commitment dealing with the recent unprecedented demand and also the people of Stratton for their understanding and patience during this time."
Julie Dawson, managing director of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have always remained committed to making sure the overnight service returned to Stratton and thanks to the combined efforts of everyone we are pleased to say that the service will return on 1 March for residents living in Stratton and the north of the county as well as our neighbours over the border in Devon until the 22 August."
The trial service offers:
* Expert senior clinician whose skills extend beyond a traditional minor injury practitioner
* Appointments for people from Stratton, Bude and the surrounding area who have an appointment to be seen by an out of hours service after contacting NHS 111.
* Treat patients who need to attend the centre with a minor injury out of hours.
The Stratton Minor Injury Unit has been open as usual throughout from 8am to 10pm every day and X-ray from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. In addition support remains available from NHS 111 and in emergencies or life threatening situations 999.
The community treatment centre service will be evaluated and if successful plans for a permanent service at Stratton will be explored.
