Background: a service once saved now closed
A small eye clinic on Meneage Street in Helston has abruptly closed its doors, weeks after a health trust announced that a vital service had been saved. The clinic previously treated patients with macular degeneration, providing regular injections every eight to 12 weeks that were essential for slowing the progression of the condition. The sudden closure has left patients and their families scrambling for answers about where to receive ongoing care.
The timeline: from hopeful assurances to abrupt shutdown
In August, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) stated that the macular degeneration service was “saved.” That message gave patients confidence that the local facility would continue to operate, and many arranged their lives around predictable appointment schedules. However, several weeks later, staff informed patients that the Meneage Street site could no longer continue clinics. Some patients reported not being told where they should go for future injections, sparking immediate concerns about continuity of care and travel logistics.
Julie, whose 93-year-old mother has relied on the Helston clinic for years, described the moment as distressing. “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 had been due in a few weeks, but a date and destination for treatment remain unclear. The abrupt change heightens anxiety for patients who must balance frequent injections with frailty, mobility, and transportation challenges.
What the trust says and what it means for patients
RCHT issued a statement explaining that the Meneage Street site was no longer viable for continuing the clinics but stressed that the treatment remains available at other locations — West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, and a clinic in St Austell. It added that it has capacity at these sites to provide injections and would offer information about transport support where available.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience the change of location will cause and are asking patients to give us their feedback to help us as we review options for future service provision,” the trust said. The message also indicated that patients would be advised on how to access transport support, a crucial element for those who already face mobility hurdles or lengthy travel times.
Impact on patients and the wider community
The closure is more than a logistical inconvenience; it potentially affects the health outcomes of individuals with a degenerative sight condition. Macular degeneration often requires timely injections to protect vision, and delays or increased travel burdens could lead to anxiety, missed appointments, or delayed treatment. Critics argue that while reassigning patients to other sites is a practical solution, capacity at those locations may already be stretched, leading to longer journeys and longer waiting times.
Andrew George, MP for St Ives, described the decision as an “enormous disappointment.” He stated he had written to the RCHT chief executive to urge reconsideration and to explore options that would retain the Helston service locally. “I was given the impression in July the service would be retained,” he noted. “The trust’s decision will leave a large number of patients without certainty and access to a vital service.”
Next steps: what patients should know
The trust has encouraged patients to contact them for guidance on future appointments and transport options. For some, this may mean arranging travel to Truro, Penzance, or St Austell, while others may benefit from coordinated transport support or community health resources. In the coming weeks, patients and caregivers should seek clarity on:
– Exact locations and dates for their next injections
– Transportation arrangements and eligibility for support
– Any possible escalation paths if appointments at alternative sites become unavailable or overbooked
Conclusion
The Helston closure represents a challenging shift in local eye care, even as the wider health system emphasizes that treatment remains available elsewhere. For patients living with macular degeneration, the priority is clear: maintaining access to timely injections without creating unfair burdens. As the trust reviews its options, patient feedback will play a crucial role in shaping future service provision and ensuring that small towns like Helston retain vital health services close to home.
