'Shock' at closure of eye clinic in St Austell as services move
All glaucoma patients who attended Wheal Northey are being told that treatment has moved to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, with the rest of the clinic's services understood to be transferring within the next few weeks.
Mrs Bristow lives near Bodmin and has been receiving injections for macular degeneration at the clinic.She said: "It's a horrific thought that you've got to have injections directly into your eyes, but I actually look forward to going to Wheal Northey because they are so friendly."Her husband George said he felt the same way as "they put you at ease there". He added: "It's a horrendous process. "Jill's got used to the people there and is confident to go there because they are so friendly. "In a bigger hospital, that's not going to happen."The change means she will have to travel nearly 20 miles (32km) to attend appointments every seven weeks."They keep wanting to get services into the community, yet this is doing the opposite," Mr Bristow concluded.The clinic's closure comes after the NHS said the minor injuries unit in Launceston would remain closed until staff could be trained.Bosses have also asked holidaymakers to stay away from the Truro emergency department.
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"Ambulances meant for pregnant women are supposed to have air conditioning, but in reality, they only have a small fan, which is barely enough for the patient. So, I always carry a hand fan when accompanying a woman in labour because we have no one to complain to," Dalal adds. India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Mission, which leads the ASHA programme, did not respond to the BBC's request for comment. Back in Najafgarh, both Karan and Dalal remain committed to helping pregnant women cope with the dangers of extreme heat. "A safe and successful delivery – that's all I work for," Dalal says with a smile. Kumari safely gave birth to her fifth child last December and says she recovered faster than her previous pregnancies. "For the first time since I moved to Delhi, I had the support of an ASHA worker," she says. "I was able to return to work after four months of rest, and whenever there's a health issue with me or the baby, Kalyani didi is just a phone call away." -- For essential climate news and hopeful developments to your inbox, sign up to the Future Earth newsletter, while The Essential List delivers a handpicked selection of features and insights twice a week. For more science, technology, environment and health stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
