News

Becky McSorley, Practice Educator, has won the Royal Air Force award for the Apprentice Champion of the Year at a regional ceremony of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2022.

Becky was announced as the south west winner in her respective category during a ceremony held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House in north Somerset.

“I am really grateful for the nomination from our partners at Truro and Penwith College. I’ve worked very closely with them to help develop nursing apprenticeship opportunities for people across our county. To win the regional award was just amazing. I’m so happy and very proud to be an Apprentice Champion of the Year. I’m a passionate advocate of the opportunities that apprenticeships provide for people of all backgrounds to get into healthcare and nursing careers.” Becky McSorley

As a regional winner, Becky will now be shortlisted for the national stage. Where she could be announced as a national finalist at the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards ceremony in London at the end of next month.

Becky’s nomination was submitted by Toni Drew, Business Partnership Consultant, specialising in health, at Truro and Penwith College.

“Becky is a very deserving winner. She’s been instrumental at supporting developments as an employer for our Nursing and Allied Health Department at the college. With her inspirational qualities and strong motivation. We had the backing we needed to have our first Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship. We need more people like Becky supporting apprenticeships and I wish her well in London.” Toni Drew

Becky’s work alongside the college has been vital in helping to develop successful programmes in recent years. The programmes look to address local workforce issues and improve training opportunities for nursing roles. The initiatives are helping to tap into Cornwall’s young talent and retain more future nurses within the county.

Several nursing qualifications are now available at the University Centre Truro and Penwith. They have been developed in partnership with the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, GP surgeries and care providers across Cornwall. Their aim is to boost the county’s nursing numbers and service levels.

“The team are delighted that Becky has won this award. It is so well deserved in recognition of her hard work and dedication to champion apprenticeship activity within our Trust. This is crucial work to ensure the Trust can respond to workforce challenges and support local communities.” Alan Jervis, Head of Education and Training at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The National Apprenticeship Awards is to recognise apprentice employers, apprentices, rising stars and champions from up and down the country. The Apprentice Champion Award is for individuals who champion apprenticeships with enthusiasm and whose passion for apprenticeships is exceptional.

The national awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 30 November, when Becky will find out if she’s been successful in the final shortlisting of Apprentice Champions from around the country.

Read NHS worker wins Apprentice Champion of the Year at regional awards…

A patient at Falmouth Community Hospital experienced a heart-warming reunion with her beloved dog, after he visited her on the ward.

When Janet Van De Voorde was admitted into the community hospital after a fall, her beloved dog, Charlie, who is 13, was put into foster care.

After staying with the Rosevean Vets in Penzance for a month, Janet made the heart-breaking decision that she would no longer be able to care for Charlie full time. It was then that he was put into the care of the Last Chance Hotel and found his foster mum, Ann Tew.

The Last Chance Hotel aims to rescue all animals, including domestic and wildlife. Its mission is to protect all animals and rely on a network of dedicated foster homes to provide the all-important home environment and rehabilitation.

“I stepped forward to foster Charlie after he caught my eye on an online advert. I was amazed at the likeness of Charlie to my beloved dog, also named Charlie, who passed away 3 years ago. I immediately contacted the First Chance Hotel and started the process to foster him. Fostering Charlie felt like it was meant to be.

“Once Charlie had built up his trust with me, I contacted Falmouth Community Hospital and spoke to April Quelch, the ward clerk, to see if it would be okay to arrange for Charlie to visit Janet. I couldn’t imagine the turmoil and worry Janet must be feeling at having to separate from her dog.” Ann Tew

“We spoke to Janet and said that Charlie’s foster family had been in touch and would she like for him to visit. Obviously, Janet jumped at the chance, although she was worried that he may not recognise her. Charlie is Janet’s life.

“Unfortunately, Janet has no other family, so Charlie really was a true companion for her. Charlie was so happy to see Janet and remembered her straight away. The visit from Charlie really boosted her spirits. He sat with her, had cuddles, and enjoyed lots of treats. We already have plans in place for another visit from him soon.” April, Ward Clerk.

It is widely acknowledged that pets can positively benefit the wellbeing of elderly owners. For many elderly people living on their own, their pets are their reason for living.

“We encourage relatives of our patients to bring pets into the hospital to visit their owner. We find that when a dog visits their owner, the person is instantly uplifted. The boost to their mood really heightens their wellbeing. The patient becomes less anxious and relives stress by stroking and petting an animal. They often also feel comforted and loved. Often the whole ward is on a high after a dog has visited; it gives patients something to talk about and share.

“I’m so very pleased and happy that Charlie has been fostered into such a lovely home and that I still get to play a big part in his life. I’ve had him since he was 1 years old, after I rehomed him when his previous owner became unwell and couldn’t look after him. I’ve had him for 12 years and although I miss him terribly, I’m so happy that he can come and visit me on the ward and that Ann has offered to keep visiting me when I am eventually discharged.” Jan Crapp, former Ward Manager of Falmouth Hospital.

Read Waggy tail reunion at Falmouth Community Hospital…

Helston Community Hospital’s gardens have had a post-summer makeover, thanks to a group of Forces veterans from the Culdrose Old Boys.

The group of 6 veterans were under the watchful eye of Mick Bunt from Lawn and Order Gardening Services to give the community hospitals gardens a much-needed glow-up, involving the removal of weeds and overgrown plants, brand-new flowerbeds, and paved walkways to provide patients, hospital visitors and staff with safe access to enjoy the outdoor space.

Plants and materials were kindly donated by Trevena Cross Nurseries in Breage and staff at the community hospital made sure the Culdrose Old Boys were well hydrated throughout.

“I would like to thank Alan and the Culdrose Old Boys veterans for the hard work and support they have given to our gardens in Helston Community Hospital. The gardens have been transformed and will be enjoyed by all visitors and staff. Thank you.” Linda McHale, Hospital Matron

Culdrose Old Boys has recently celebrated its fourth anniversary and is open to members of the Armed Forces whether still serving or retired, who have at any time been based at RNAS Culdrose. Further information can be found by searching for Culdrose Old Boys on the Facebook.

“In these times of tough financial constraints, it’s great to provide much needed support to our local community and this little project has enabled the Culdrose Old Boys to achieve just that. It’s heart-warming to know that our efforts will bring so much pleasure to the staff and patients of our local Memorial Hospital.” Alan Rodgers, who was part of the veteran team who made over the hospital gardens

Read Local veterans transform community hospital gardens…

We are finalising arrangements for Monday 19 September, following the announcement that the Queen’s state funeral will be a bank holiday. If there are any changes to patient appointments, we will be in direct contact with the people affected.

If you do not hear from us, please assume your scheduled appointment is going ahead as planned.

If you have an appointment scheduled for Monday but no longer wish to attend, please let us know using the contact details at the top of your appointment letter.

Thank you for bearing with us while we work through these arrangements.

Read Update on appointments upcoming bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral…

Read Cornwall and Isles of Scilly's NHS send condolences to the Royal family…

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are planning to commission the build of a 3-story block of 6 ZED POD accommodations, on the site of the existing car park area adjacent to Tolvean House in Redruth.

The homes will offer a turnkey housing solution for staff for a maximum of 3 months, which is hoped to be sufficient time for workers to settle into the area and find long-term accommodation.

“We are keen to attract people to the Trust and health and social care careers in Cornwall. One of the key pieces of feedback from our existing and new staff is the challenge of securing affordable local housing. 

“I hope by providing some of our new starters with short-term accommodation, we will enable them to settle into their new role, without having to worry about where they’ll live too, especially if they are new to the area. We are also working with Cornwall Council and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust to make more key worker accommodation available across the county.” Debbie Richards, Chief Executive.

ZED PODS are award-winning, cost-effective, eco-friendly, high-quality modular homes, which are designed by their in-house team, and are manufactured and installed much more quickly, and with less disruption compared to traditionally built conventional housing.

Most of the building works of ZED PODS homes are completed in the factory. After the groundworks are completed, the units can be delivered to the site and installed within a matter of days.

“The Trust is pleased to be working with ZED PODS to provide accommodation for some of our key workers when they first join the Trust to help with their transition to a new area. The 6 units that are being commissioned each have 2 bedrooms and are constructed off-site to very high environmental standards. They are turnkey units, which means that they are fully fitted out and furnished upon delivery and will only require minimal additional items before staff can move in. The units are due to become operational in late autumn 2022.”​ Lindsey Wild, Strategic Property Manager

Each ZED PODS home will have 2 bedrooms, providing living accommodation for 2 people. Each bedroom has space for someone to study whilst the units have a shared open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas and a bathroom. The roof of the building will be fitted with solar panels to generate electricity and all hot water demand will be provided by a solar assisted heat pump in each unit.

“We are extremely delighted to be working with the Trust to design and build this ground-breaking sustainable development. Seacole House, designed by our in-house team, will be of very best in terms of environmental performance and internal specifications. This scheme demonstrates how the NHS can develop their unutilised sites to build good-quality, affordable homes for our key workers across the UK”. Thomas Northway, Chairman of ZED PODS

The Trust is also sourcing rental properties to help with the housing crisis until staff can find their own accommodation.

Read Providing a unique solution to the housing crisis…

We are calling on Cornish swimmers to don their swimming caps for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday 10 September.

Members of the public are being invited to take part in the event at the Jubilee Pool in Penzance to help raise awareness and break down the stigma connected to suicide. The first 66 swimmers will be supplied with a swimming cap which will represent each of the lives lost to suicide in Cornwall every year.

“We want this to be an opportunity for people to connect and hopefully stimulate important conversations about what continues to be a much-stigmatised area of mental health. It impacts upon thousands of lives each year in Cornwall and it’s vitally important that we talk openly about suicide and suicide prevention." Hannah Lapham, Joint Lead for Suicide Prevention.

Tickets for the ‘Turning the Tide on Suicide’ swim event are free but limited and must be booked in advance. Book tickets on the Jubilee Pool website.

The Jubilee Pool is the UK’s largest art deco seawater lido and geothermally heated pool.

Hannah added: “We are hoping to bring together people from our community who are passionate about preventing suicide or who are interested in learning more about how we can all help people at risk of taking their own lives. Lots of work is being done in Cornwall with various partner organisations, including the council and healthcare providers, employers, benefit support agencies, the voluntary sector, drug and alcohol services and social services, to try help address the issue of higher-than-average rates of suicide in our county,

One of the many myths we would like to disappear is that asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts increases the likelihood of them following through. This is inaccurate. In fact, studies have shown that people are less likely to make an attempt on their life if they have the chance to talk to someone about their thoughts and feelings.” 

On average, 66 people die each year because of suicide in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The suicide rate for the county is higher than both the south west and national average.

The swim, which has been made free of charge by the Jubilee Pool, takes place on World Suicide Prevention Day (Saturday 10 September, 8am to 9am). For more information, email the Suicide Prevention Team.

Read Turning the tide on suicide awareness…

Event cancelled

As a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Truro Cathedral's service of reflection on Sunday 11 September has been cancelled.

Original press release

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Truro Cathedral will again hold the annual service of reflection for people who have been affected by suicide.

Since it was first delivered in 2016, the service has been held on the closest Sunday to World Suicide Prevention Day which takes place on the 10 September each year.

Speaking ahead of this year's service on Sunday 11 September, Anne Embury, who leads the Suicide Liaison Service said:

“As always, we are very grateful to the Cathedral for holding this special service. It has come to mean a lot to those who attend each year, as it’s both moving and uplifting in equal measure. It gives people a calm, supportive and safe space to come together and reflect.”

The event is organised by the Suicide Liaison Service, which is run by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and delivered in collaboration with the Cathedral and members of the county’s multi-agency suicide prevention group.

Anne added: “This year, for World Suicide Prevention Day, we have 2 events taking place. My colleagues in the Trust’s Suicide Prevention Team are holding a free swim on the Saturday at the Jubilee Pool in Penzance to raise awareness, reduce stigma and help bring a focus on how we try to reduce the number of suicides in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Then on the Sunday, we are inviting people to the Cathedral for our service of reflection, offering those attending the opportunity for both healing and support. It is open to people of all faiths or none. Both events are very much about creating hope through action.”

Truro Cathedral is the only cathedral in England to hold an annual service for suicide loss.

The Rev’d Canon, Alan Bashforth, at Truro Cathedral, said:

“People experience bereavement in many different ways, but undoubtedly one of the more difficult of these to deal with is the loss of a loved one through suicide. It is often the case that reasons remain out of reach - and that questions that arise in these circumstances struggle to find answers. The time given over to this service allows a space for those who have had this experience to sit in common solidarity with each other and seek in the sacred space of the cathedral to find some hope in the face of hopelessness and some light, away from the darkness, brought by such a loss.”

The service starts 2pm at Truro Cathedral. There will be refreshments provided by the Samaritans. People are invited to turn up on the day. Music will be provided by the Mousehole Male Voice Choir.

Read Service of reflection for people affected by suicide…

On the 50^th anniversary of the very first official London Pride event, colleagues attended an event to raise awareness of the NHS’ support of the LGBTQI+ community.

The milestone event was held at Torpoint community college on 1 July along with other dates across the county. The event was hosted by the Intercom Trust, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ charity. They work across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and the wider south west.

The event was organised by Steve Cannon, who is part of the Intercom Trust and works with our LGBTQI+ service users. Steve often visits persons who might be struggling with their identity, gender, or sexuality alongside their mental health illness.

Throughout the event, attendees could listen to guest speakers talk about pride and what it means to them. As well as watching presentations on how the very first pride event in London bought about change and legalisation. They could also take part in workshops around LGBTQI+ activism.

"It felt so important to be at this event hosted by the Intercom Trust on a professional and personal level.

“To be able to represent the NHS sent out a very powerful message to people to say that the NHS embraces the LGBTQI+ community. Whether they be staff, our service users, or our visitors. It demonstrated the commitment of supporting our LGBTQI+ community on all platforms. As well as the willingness to work with partners such as the Intercom Trust, Devon and Cornwall Police, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG), education and other NHS Trusts and services.

“On a personal level, it feels incredibly empowering to stand tall with my head held high in front of everybody. To say that I was proud to be a lesbian, but also to show my sincere gratitude to all those LGBTQI+ campaigners before me to enable me to do this and feel safe." Claire Welsford

Claire Welsford, a trainee mental health and wellbeing practitioner for the Trust attended the event. Claire was there to raise awareness of services such as Outlook Southwest and talking therapies and myth bust. We also showed that the NHS stands in allegiance with those who are part of the LGBTQI+ community. As well as speaking to those who might be interested in joining the NHS as a place of work after their studies.

“Having Claire attend as an out and proud member of staff working and supporting people in the NHS was really important. So many young people rarely see visibility or connect with people in positions of authority. To have an actual person they could see and speak to about the NHS and know that there are people within it that do care and are concerned about LGBTQI+ young people was vital for them to hear.

“Next year’s events will be themed ‘pride in your workplace’. We hope to welcome Claire and others that want to share their experiences of working for the NHS as LGBTQI+ people.” Steve Cannon, Intercom Trust

Additionally, the Trust runs a network group every other month for staff who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning or other. The group provides a safe and confidential space for all staff to discuss any issues they might have and receive support. It is a place to network, receive mentoring or coaching. As well as a chance to engage and collaborate with the Trust’s other networking groups. Staff wishing to join the LGBTQI+ network should email Rachel Tofts.

Find out more about the Intercom Trust and its work with the LGBTQI+ community.

Read NHS Trust attends celebration of Pride's 50th year…