CORNWALL’S NHS trust has defended its work after an MP claimed it is ‘dragging its feet’ in its efforts to reopen Launceston’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU).

This week, Ben Maguire, MP for North Cornwall hit out at the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust after he claimed it was delaying the opening of the unit for ‘no reason’.

The MP has been vocal following the announcement of the site’s closure at the end of July. The organisation revealed that it the town’s unit would be closed until further notice due to staffing issues, however, the trust has since committed to reopening the MIU by mid-September following a public meeting.

The site’s reopening is pending the confirmation of the third-party service provider being safely approved by Cornwall’s trust.

However, Mr Maguire has spoken out against the trust’s processes, labelling them as too slow.

In a statement, he said: “Weeks ago, after the trust closed down Launceston’s Minor Injuries Unit with next to no warning and no contingency, I stepped in to help find a solution.

“I managed to secure a willing third-party provider to staff the MIU and get the doors open again immediately. This same provider has been used at a nearby MIU so we know it’s safe and that they can get going straight away.

“Yet despite repeated promises to work with us to reopen the MIU quickly, the trust is still dragging its feet. There seems to be no reason for this further delay, and it is badly letting the people of Launceston down.

“Every day of delay leaves patients travelling miles (if they can get there) for treatment they should be able to access locally. Launceston deserves a health service that puts patients first, not one that blocks solutions and leaves communities without the care they desperately need.”

Mr Maguire has now stated that he plans to ‘escalate’ the situation with Health ministers.

He continued: “I will now be escalating the matter, and seeking an urgent meeting with Health Ministers to get this mess sorted out.

“I also request the Trust’s Chief Exec Debbie Richards to please publicly explain why the third party - which is already providing services in a nearby MIU (therefore safe and tested) - cannot be used in Launceston.”

However, despite criticism, the trust has defended itself stating that it is carrying out its diligence with regard to safety checks before introducing the provider.

A spokesperson from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “A third party provider is one of the solutions being explored to enable us to reopen the unit ahead of September, and we are waiting for the provider to share the information needed to assess whether the appropriate governance is in place.

“Following the recent public meetings, plans to develop a sustainable minor illness and injury service moving forward are already underway. We look forward to involving the local community in designing this with us.”