Overview of the Closure
A community eye clinic on Meneage Street in Helston has shut its doors, disrupting essential treatment for people living with a degenerative sight condition. The clinic, which provided regular injections every eight to 12 weeks for macular degeneration, closed weeks after the health trust had initially announced the service would be saved. The sudden decision has left patients and families anxious about where to receive future appointments and how quickly alternative arrangements can be made.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) confirmed that, despite assurances in August that the service would be retained, the Meneage Street site could no longer host clinics. The Trust said it has capacity at other sites to provide the same treatment and would advise patients about transport support that may be available. However, some patients report not being told where to go next or when their care would resume.
What Now for Patients?
The treatment is currently offered at several facilities, including West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, and a clinic in St Austell. Yet patients and advocates say this distribution is not enough to guarantee timely access, especially for those with mobility or transport challenges.
Judith Bosustow, whose 93-year-old mother Joan has attended the Meneage Street clinic for years, described the closure as abrupt. “We turned up at the last appointment and were just told it was closing — it was very sudden,” she said. Her mother’s next appointment was due in four weeks, but no date or location had been provided. Bosustow added that the Helston location had been a reliable option where appointments were scheduled well in advance, allowing working relatives to plan around them.
Reaction from Local Representatives
Andrew George, MP for St Ives, voiced strong concerns, calling the decision an “enormous disappointment.” He stated that patients were left without certainty and warned of long journeys to hospitals that are already under strain. “I was given the impression in July the service would be retained,” he said, urging the trust to reconsider and explore options to maintain or retain the service in the Helston area. He has written to the chief executive of RCHT asking for a rethink on future provision.
Trust Response and Future Plans
RCHT issued a statement acknowledging the closure, explaining that they were unable to continue clinics at the Meneage Street site. The Trust said it had capacity at other sites to provide the treatment and that patients would be advised about transport support if available. It also asked for feedback from patients to help review options for future service provision. The statement reflected an intention to minimize disruption, but critics say the changes require clearer communication and a more concrete plan for those affected.
Why This Matters
Regular injections for macular degeneration are crucial for slowing vision loss and maintaining independence for many patients. For a region like Cornwall, with its dispersed communities, centralized services can pose significant travel burdens. The closure highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing budgetary realities with reliable access to essential eye care, particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly.
What Stakeholders Hope Will Happen Next
Advocates, patients, and local politicians are calling for transparency, clear alternative arrangements, and timely communication. Key asks include a definitive plan for Helston patients, potentially keeping some sessions local or creating a dedicated transport solution to reduce the burden of longer journeys to Penzance, Truro, or St Austell. In the meantime, the community awaits further details from RCHT about where appointments will occur and how soon access to vital treatment can be guaranteed again.
Closing Thoughts
The sudden closure of the Meneage Street clinic underscores the fragility of local healthcare services and the real-world impact on people living with sight-threatening conditions. As RCHT reviews options for future provision, patients like Joan and their families deserve timely information, reliable access, and reassurance that essential treatment will remain local wherever possible.
