DERRIFORD Hospital will not be treating minor injuries for the time being.

A new Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) has been opened at the private Nuffield Hospital, located just opposite.

Emergencies classed as major will still be treated at A+E at Derriford.

The Nuffield Hospital will be open from 8am to 10pm. Outside of these hours, the public should call 111 to access an out-of-hours service.

There are also Minor Injuries Units at Liskeard (8am to 10pm), Bodmin (8am to 10pm) and Launceston (8am to 8pm).

The decision to move minor injuries has been taken in order to protect members of the public who come to hospital for less serious illnesses and injuries from the risk of COVID-19.

The new MIU at Niuffield is a ‘green zone’, meaning no patients are attending with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, says the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

All patients ‘self-presenting’ to either Derriford or Nuffield will have their temperature taken on arrival to screen for the virus.

If you have been self-isolating due to symptoms of the virus, the Trust says please call 111 and do not attend the Nuffield site.

Meanwhile, the message from health care professionals in Cornwall is ‘don’t be afraid to seek the medical help you need’ as it was revealed that attendance at the county’s main A&E department is down by 50 per cent. The number of children being brought in for serious conditions at Treliske is down even more – by 80 per cent – says NHS Kernow.

Now, hospital consultants and GPs are concerned people’s Coronavirus fears are posing a long term risk to their health.

People are also worried about ‘being a burden’ on doctors and nurses during a difficult time, says the NHS.

"It’s a really big worry for us," said emergency department consultant, Dr Toby Slade. "We have put in place measures allowing?people to access care safely."