PATIENTS who have suffered minor injuries will be treated at Ipswich Hospital as of next month – with the closure of the Riverside Clinic due in two weeks.

The timescale for the move can be revealed for the first time following health bosses decision to vote in favour of relocating the minor injuries unit to the Heath Road site at NHS Suffolk’s board meeting last month.

The last patients will file through the doors at the Landseer Road unit on Sunday, July 1, at 8pm before the new clinic opens its doors the following morning.

Tracy Dowling, NHS Suffolk’s director of strategic commissioning, said all staff would transfer over to the new clinic at Ipswich Hospital.

”Patients will benefit from a concentration of medical expertise at Ipswich Hospital and local access at their GP practice for minor illness and injury,” she said.

“The decision to move the minor injury service was taken after engagement with local people as well as GP commissioners and A&E staff.

“The Riverside Clinic was established in 2006 to take the pressure off A&E, but this has not happened. Instead we now have a duplication of services at a cost of �1.2million annually.”

Dr David Hartin, Ipswich Hospital’s lead consultant for the emergency department, said: “We welcome the minor injuries staff to Ipswich Hospital. This move is in the best interest of patients who will now be able to access the right care at the right time in the right place.”

Other services currently offered at the Riverside Clinic will continue to be run as normal.