Concerns of access to healthcare has been raised by one Cornwall Councillor, after the road between Stratton and Kilkhampton closed overnight.

The road works have coincided with the recent overnight closure of the overnight service at Stratton Hospital.

The closure is for road maintenance and gully emptying.

Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Cllr David Parsons said: “A long journey to the nearest A&E in Barnstaple has lengthened by at least 15 minutes because of the necessary diversion. This means more risk for patients who fall ill during the night and will increase ambulance response times.

“The A39 is a notoriously slow road at the best of times with frequent accidents and much slow moving traffic.”

The stretch of road running from Stratton to Kilkhampton was closed from 7pm to 7am on Monday and will be closed each night until Friday, February 7.

Cllr Parsons added: “Despite the representations of Scott Mann MP to the Secretary of State, and continued pressure from Cornwall Councillors there have been no concrete guarantees that the service will resume, no clear timescales and no assurance that it will not be withdrawn again at short notice.”

The overnight service at Stratton Hospital was removed on New Year’s Day and according to the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be reinstated in March this year. The overnight treatment centre in Stratton was removed after increased pressures at Treliske Hospital in the Christmas period, meaning the overnight clinician had to be relocated.

Cllr Parsons continued: “We need a proper service. Early indications showed it was working well, preventing A and E admissions, reducing unnecessary ambulance trips and providing reassurance to residents.

“A guaranteed period of at least a full year without interruption is required as a minimum. This will enable a proper evaluation and planning for future provision for a population who are isolated from major health services.”

The Post contacted Cornwall Council for a comment.