LAUNCESTON’S Minor Injury Unit (MIU) is set to reopen its doors next week.

Back in July, residents were notified that the town’s MIU would be closing with almost immediate effect due to staff sickness, and that it would only reopen once it was safe to do so.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust stated the unit “does not have enough staff to safely provide a seven-day service this summer”, meaning it would have to close its doors.

Following public outrage, a public meeting was held with representatives from the foundation who addressed concerns and apologised to locals for the nature of the closure.

During the meeting it was revealed that the site would be reopened from mid-September, however, now the area’s MP Ben Maguire has confirmed that the unit could be reopening from Monday, September 1.

Mr Maguire has been very vocal about the closure, criticising the trust for its handling of the situation and even accusing it of ‘dragging its heels’ in its pursuit to reopen the facility.

Commenting, Mr Maguire said: "Ever since the closure was first announced, just days before the MIU shut its doors back in July, I’ve been inundated with calls, emails, and letters from constituents urging me to push for action. I launched a petition that received huge local support, and pressed the Trust at every step of the way, while also escalating the matter to Health Ministers in Westminster.

"Now, I’m very pleased to hear that the Trust has confirmed reopening from Monday, September 1. This is a huge victory for local residents and campaigners... but we must stay vigilant. The MIU will not yet return to 'full service', so I plan to set up a new Launceston Hospital Action Group to bring together Cornwall councillors, town councillors, and local residents to ensure that services are enhanced, not reduced, in future.

"We can’t take our foot off the pedal. I'd like to thank the MIU's staff for their incredible hard work, and I promise that I’ll continue working closely with the Trust and local Councillors Nicky Chopak and Damon Dennis, to make sure Launceston gets the reliable, accessible healthcare it deserves."