COUNCILLORS have voted down a resolution calling for the reopening of the 24/7 Urgent Treatment Centre at West Cornwall Hospital, on the 75th anniversary of the creation of the NHS.

Former MP Andrew George put forward the proposal for an urgent review and reinstatement of the service to help take pressure off the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and avoid ambulances queuing outside the emergency department. His call follows the service closing at night nearly a year ago and increasing concerns about the ongoing state of urgent and emergency medical cover.

But councillors voted to reject the proposal and hold an inquiry after NHS managers reportedly stated emergency services are not overrun. The Cornwall Council health committee instead welcomed a report from health chiefs, which Mr George argues provides “little reassurance” that the service would be placed on a sustainable footing.

Mr George said: “The local community will be astounded and disappointed that conservatives on Cornwall‘s health committee should vote against a reasonable request for an Inquiry into the closure of West Cornwall Hospital‘s urgent treatment Centre.

“They will also be astounded that NHS managers seem to be in denial; that emergency services are often overrun, and that the ambulance service is struggling to cope.

“Listening to frontline staff and building a safe service that can provide 24/7 urgent care for West Cornwall should be a no brainer.

“An effective and sustainable 24/7 UTC at West Cornwall Hospital will help to take pressure off Treliske and to avoid the unacceptable spectre of scores of ambulances queuing outside the emergency department. Now it’s important that the local community is voices heard.

“Local campaigners are seeking support through petition and will continue the fight for the kind of sensible investment, which will support our wonderful frontline staff to build a safe service which serves the community throughout West Cornwall.”

Councillor Loveday Jenkin added: “Welcoming the report as well as it goes, but I still want to see how local residents can be assured their needs will be met overnight when it’s not appropriate to find a way of getting to Treliske.”