The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has said that is closing one of its wards amid investigations on allegations about a patient's care.

The hospital in Truro has suspended `a couple' of staff, who were working on the 24-bed Wheal Agar ward. The ward mainly deals with elderly people and according to the hospital spokesman; the ward had only a few patients.

"As a matter of routine we take every concern raised seriously and accordingly in this instance we are exploring the matter fully. We can confirm staff has been suspended - this is a neutral act. The ward has been temporarily closed and any new patients will continue to be able to receive care and treatment within our hospitals services," the spokesman said.

The closing of the ward comes a few days after the initial complaint was received. The spokesman rubbished suggestions that the closure is unusual by saying that the hospital has closed the ward to carry out investigations over care to a patient.

However, Health Initiative Cornwall's Graham Website has expressed concern over the incident. It said that the group is concerned to loose the ward at a time when the hospital is facing full capacity use.