Newquay Community Hospital

The minor injury unit in Newquay is currently open from 8am to 8pm, Friday to Tuesday. The unit is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. These are its quietest days.

New team members have been recruited, but need to be trained. Their training will take about 12 months.

The x-ray department has recently been upgraded. As a result, clinicians are able to access better quality images.

What does this mean for me?

Newquay’s Minor Injury Unit will continue to be available 5 days a week from 8am to 8pm. People can walk-in during these hours, without an appointment.

Minor injury units can treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries that have occurred during the last 14 days, including:

• sprains and strains
• minor fractures
• traumatic wound infections (not surgical wounds)
• minor burns and scalds
• head injuries (where the person has not been unconscious)
• insect and animal bites and stings
• minor eye injuries
• cuts, bruising and grazes
• suspected infections, for example eye, ear, skin, throat (when GPs are closed). Nearly all pharmacies also offer a minor illness service. Find your nearest pharmacy and check opening hours.

When the unit in Newquay is closed alternative units are available 7 days a week:

• Bodmin, from 8am to 10pm
• Camborne Redruth from 8am to 10pm
• St Austell from 8am and 8pm

Visit our live opening and waiting times page. People who are unsure which service is best can use the NHS 111 symptom checker or call 111, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

People with life or limb-threatening illnesses or injuries should call 999. This includes:

• patients who have suffered a head injury with loss of consciousness or who are on blood thinners
• breathing difficulties
• chest pain without injury
• stroke symptoms
• abdominal pain
• severe bleeding

Below is the update we issued when we made the decision in March 2024.

Announcement about the reduced opening hours of Newquay's Minor Injury Unit

From 17 March 2024, Newquay Minor Injury Unit will open from 8am to 8pm from Friday to Tuesday. The unit will be closed on Wednesday and Thursdays, which are its quietest days.

The hospital’s x-ray department is also midway through a major refurbishment. The refurbishment will see the installation of new digital x-ray equipment which will give clinicians access to faster and better-quality images.

We have had to make what we hope will be a short-term change to the minor injury unit opening hours, after several members of the team left. However, we are pleased to announce that our recruitment campaign has been a success. We have new minor injury unit practitioners joining us soon.

We will continue to review the operational running of our minor injury unit while our new practitioners undergo the necessary training.

We are also talking to GPs and the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board to see if the space could be used by the local primary care hub on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Minor injury units, or MIUs, treat a range of injuries that have happened in the last 14 days. Nurses, paramedics and healthcare assistants run our minor injury units.

We have 10 minor injury units spread across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. You do not need an appointment and can walk in

Check live waiting times and opening hours.

Remember your nearest unit may not be the quickest. If you need advice before you travel, visit NHS 111 online or call 111.

Call our mental health line for advice and support 24/7 on 0800 038 5300.

What can minor injury units treat?

Minor injury units can treat:

• sprains and strains
• minor breaks or fractures
• traumatic wound infections (not surgical wounds)
• minor burns and scalds
• head injuries (where the person has not been unconscious)
• insect and animal bites and stings
• minor eye injuries
• cuts, bruises and grazes

When your GP is closed, they can treat suspected infections. These include sore ears and throats.

Most minor injury units have access to x-ray.

The hospital has a charitable fund which is used to improve patient services.

The hospital is also generously supported by the Newquay Hospital League of Friends. Call 07775 715 672 for more information.

Gannel Ward has 19 inpatient beds providing inpatient care for adult patients and patients who require rehabilitation following surgery or illness.

There is a dedicated space for patients nearing the end of their life which is a quiet area for them to be with their families.

Checklist of items to bring into hospital

• Toiletries.
• Change of clothes and footwear.
• Any current medicines.
• Glasses.
• Books or magazines.
• Mobile phone or tablet.
• No more than £10 in cash.

Visiting a patient

Visiting times at Newquay Hospital are 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. Read the latest visiting guidelines.

The ward has protected mealtimes between 12.30pm to 1.30pm and from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. However if you would like to help your relative to eat and drink you are welcome to stay on the ward. What are protected mealtimes?

How to contact your relative

Patients can use their own mobile telephones or tablets while on the ward. We also have iPads available and are happy to support patients to make video calls using these. Please ask a staff member for details.

Call the main ward on 01637 834 809.