Cornishman: “Fragile economy faces winds of change”

Cornishman 4 Oct 2012

There is large spread in the Cornishman Newspaper this week looking at the impact of the closure of the helicopter service on the Islands and Penzance.  It is a thoughtful piece which investigates the wider impact of the loss of the service. 

......THE decision to ground a loss-making helicopter service at the end of October has left people across west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly worrying about the future repercussions to a way of life and a fragile economy.

In the months since the announcement, islanders, have had time to try to come to terms with the change and businesses  have had a chance to start to make plans.

The article has a significant input from Lead GP Dr John Garman on the impact of the closure on medical services:


.....For the islands' medical staff, hospital and patients, the loss of the helicopter is prompting huge changes. Lead GP Dr John Garman has been working with the Cornwall and Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT), interested parties on and off the islands and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company to minimise the impact on patient care.  Previously the helicopter was used for transporting patients, clinical supplies and blood products.

For the rest of the article click here.
For the article about the impact on Penzance click here.