News

Patients, service users and mentors have shared stories of hope and recovery to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.

The Trust is the mental health provider trust for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. These stories feature a range of Trust services, from support for young people to wellbeing courses for older adults.

Community Mental Health Team: Tom’s Story

Tom suffered a mental health breakdown in November 2023. Before his breakdown, he had been experiencing work-related stress. Despite enjoying his job, this led to increased feelings of negativity while at work. It culminated in Tom suffering from repeat stress headaches and feeling like he was unable to care for his wife and daughter.

Tom was referred to one of the Trust’s mental health practitioners through his GP surgery. He had several appointments and sessions with the practitioner, during which he was signposted to a range of extra support services. These included Man Down, which Tom feels has been a huge support. He continues to attend local Man Down sessions to this day.

Find a Man Down group near you.

Early intervention in schools: Callington Community College

The Trust’s Early Intervention in Schools Peer Support Programme provides training for secondary school students to become peer mentors for children who are making the transition from primary school.

The free to use programme is available in several primary and secondary schools in north and east Cornwall. It aims to help children who may be experiencing personal difficulties when moving to secondary school, from anxiety and low self-esteem to confidence and friendship difficulties.

It is hoped more schools will sign up for the programme in 2024, to ensure all year 6 primary school children have equitable access to support in their transition to secondary school.

Perinatal Mental Health Team: Hayley’s story

Hayley lives near Newquay. She is mum to 2 children, Evelyn and George. Hayley was already struggling with her mental health and being supported by the Eating Disorders Service when she was referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Team. She received support from the team after the births of both her children.

Hayley says the team’s support has helped her to move past her feelings of thinking that neither of her children wanted her, to knowing she is a good mum.

The Perinatal Mental Health Team have recently received national recognition from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Perinatal Quality Network for delivering high quality care.

Young at Heart: Rosalind’s Story

Rosalind and her husband moved to Cornwall around the time of the pandemic. She was referred to the Young at Heart therapeutic course after struggling to adjust to life after retirement. She also lost both her parents in a short space of time.

Rosalind says the course has helped her to meet new people and take up new activities, as well as providing techniques to cope with anxiety. This is Rosalind’s story:

Young at Heart is one of the therapeutic courses offered by our Talking Therapies Service. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy to provide techniques so we can live well in later life. The course is geared up around reducing isolation and loneliness and improving wellbeing for over 65s.

Individual Placement and Support Service: Peer mentors

Michelle, Merlin and Ben are peer mentors and support workers with the Individual Placement and Support Service. They all have lived experience of mental health and are using those experiences to help others.

Pentreath and the Trust offer this service. It supports people with severe mental illness to find competitive paid employment of their choosing. The service believes that with the right support, everyone has the potential to gain paid employment. Mental health diagnosis does not predict capacity to work. The most important factor is willingness to work.

Since its launch, the service has helped over 200 people find work.

Useful links and information

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is moving more. Being active is important for our mental health. So many of us struggle to get enough exercise. We know there are many different reasons for this. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to help people find moments for movement in their daily routines.

Read more about our community mental health services and Mental Health Spring Fairs.

In a crisis, or know someone in crisis? Need someone to talk to? We are here 24/7 to listen and determine how best to help. Call us free on 0800 038 5300.

Read Stories of hope and recovery to mark Mental Health Awareness Week…

This free to use programme aims to help children in their transition to secondary school. It can be a daunting prospect for some children, and can trigger feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, confidence, or friendship difficulties.

But the transition to secondary school is being made easier thanks to the peer mentoring programme. Secondary school students are trained by our Mental Health Support Team so that they can then offer support and advice to children coming from primary school.

The Mental Health Support Team completed the Anna Freud Peer Mentor Programme with several secondary schools in 2023 and have received positive feedback from schools, pupils, and staff.

It is hoped that more schools will sign up for the programme in 2024, to ensure all year 6 primary school children have equitable access to support in their transition to secondary school. All peer mentoring support is carried out with parental consent.

Callington Community College introduced the peer mentoring programme in September. For any new year 7 pupils who are struggling with the transition, help is at hand from year 8 peer mentors.

“The Mental Health Support Team from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said that I could run a programme where they would be able to train a number of our year 8 students, who would be able to act as peer mentors for our new year 7 students. They can chat about any concerns they have, but sometimes just as a social conversation. The best way to judge its success is that it has continued throughout the year, and the year 7s and year 8s have maintained that connection.”

Ed Davis, Associate Assistant Principal at Callington Community College

Moving forward the plan will be to train year 7 students in preparation for the arrival of those making the transition from primary school this September.

“The year 7 students, who are trained, will be connected to a tutor group, so within that tutor group the peer mentors will be there as a point of call. They will be able to talk directly to those students who are there to support them. As they begin in year 7 they will recognise that the year 8s are there to support them as well.”

Ed Davis, Associate Assistant Principal at Callington Community College

All 8 secondary schools in east Cornwall have now signed up for the programme. As well as Callington, they are Budehaven Community School, Launceston College, Sir James Smith’s School (Camelford), Saltash Community School, Torpoint Community College, Looe Community Academy, and Liskeard School and Community College.

There are also 65 primary schools across east Cornwall, who have been invited to take part in the programme. One of those is Stratton Primary School in Bude. They signed up for the programme last year, and already, a number of year 6 children have benefitted from support from students at Budehaven Community School.

“We started peer mentoring last summer. It’s a way of buddying up year 7 students at Budehaven, our local secondary school, with year 6s who are moving to Budehaven. Hopefully, that gives them more confidence and somebody they can talk to. We have identified a cohort of children that have been accessing extra support at primary school that may then need extra support when going to secondary school.

“This has been really important for children that have some vulnerabilities. To give them some opportunity for support before they were there (secondary school) and for them to know that was going to be accessible to them is really important.”

Becky Bridgman, Deputy Headteacher at Stratton Primary School

Historically, peer mentoring support has been available to students for a number of years. But it is that high level of trained support, with the help of the Mental Health Support Team, which allows students to access support specific to their needs, such as signposting.

“It’s a wonderful programme that we’re really excited about. Every child that needs that support can get it. It has so many impacts. It’s not just helping the children coming up from primary schools. It helps the pastoral staff and reduces their workload.”

Grace Cloke, East Cornwall Mental Health Support Team Manager

“The feedback has just been amazing. It’s really lovely to hear what the mentors are taking away from it as well as those they are supporting. There are a number of children transitioning into secondary school who don’t necessarily want to speak to adults when they need some support. So having peers they can go to is really important and it creates some really good links.”

Anna Smith, East Cornwall Education Mental Health Supervisor

Read Peer mentoring supports students in secondary schools transition…

The first ground has been broken for a new integrated health and social care facility on the Isles of Scilly, by none other than the Duke of Cornwall.

His Royal Highness was given a tour of St Mary's Community Hospital on Friday 10 May, before being handed a spade to do the honours.

After breaking ground to a round of applause, Prince William described the development as "exciting". He added: "I look forward to coming to see it next year".

The Duke met with staff from the hospital and St Mary's Health Centre, Council of the Isles of Scilly and partners to hear more about the challenges with delivering health and care services on the islands.

The aim is to develop and continue an integrated model of care that supports the needs of the island communities. It is hoped this will future-proof services for years to come.

Matron Lynda McHale has just completed 50 years’ service with the NHS and was among those to greet His Royal Highness:

"The Duke asked what had kept me in the job for 50 years. I told him that I love my job and one of the main reasons is because of the teams I have had the honour to work alongside over the years.

“The whole experience has been really positive and has made the new build and integration really real for the team on St Mary's and everyone on the islands".

The Duke was shown round the community hospital by Trust Chief Executive, Debbie Richards, who described the day as special:

"The visit from His Royal Highness is a real morale boost for both health and social care staff. They have worked tirelessly to see this plan come to fruition. Without their vision and championing, we would not have got this project off the ground.

"It has been a very special day for our staff and a very special day for the islands. One of the really moving things about the day was how His Royal Highness wanted to hear from staff about the reality of delivering healthcare in such a remote setting, day in day out. His curiosity and desire to understand more is really, really welcome".

What will the new facility provide?

The facility will be located on the site of St Mary's Community Hospital and land next to St Mary's Health Centre.

It will provide 12 residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds, a modern maternity suite. Other outpatient services will continue, including x-ray, minor injury unit, and dental and consulting rooms.

The facility will be part of a new model of care. It will provide robust services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible. This will include maximising digital technologies and remote support to provide more enabled care on the islands.

The Duke also met members of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, including Councillor Robert Francis, Chairman, pictured above as His Royal Highness signed a special book to mark the occasion.

The ground breaking follows the new integrated facility having secured both planning and national funding approval.

Speaking ahead of the event, Councillor Francis described the project as central to protecting and sustaining the health and wellbeing of the whole community on the Isles of Scilly:

"The integration of health and social care services has long been considered to be the best option for the islands, as it will enable a better use of resources and easier access to the services. It will also increase the likelihood of island residents being able to stay either at home or close to home as their health and social care needs increase.

“The council is excited to continue to work with our NHS colleagues in the delivery of this landmark project. It aims to improve the quality of life available to everyone on Scilly by reducing the risk of such essential services only being available on the mainland".

The project is a collaboration between: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Council of the Isles of Scilly; primary care; Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust; South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; voluntary sector partners; mental health services. All partners are working in collaboration with the Duchy of Cornwall.

Read more about the project, including the timeline for delivery.

Read Duke of Cornwall breaks ground for islands health and care facility…

The UK’s largest mental health campaign runs from 13 to 19 May. The theme this year is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Team has organised a mixed gender football match between Trust staff and a ‘United Cornwall Football Club’ team.

The match is among a number of events being put on for Trust staff during Mental Health Awareness Week. This includes a number of face-to-face talks with the Wellbeing Team and a ‘coffee corner’ talk on Teams. There is also a wellbeing walk on the south west coast path taking place on Thursday. For the full list of events, email the Wellbeing Team.

The game will take place at Nanpean Football Club on Wednesday 15 May and kicks off at 6.30pm.

Jack Greaves runs weekly social football sessions for people of any age, ability, or gender.

“Our games are designed to create an inclusive weekly kick about, bringing people together through the game we love.

“Whether players come to lose weight, make friends, or just blow off steam, it does not matter to us.

“We are really excited about putting a session on for our fantastic NHS staff.”

Gary Wheildon is a health and wellbeing practitioner for the Trust.

““Physical activity and movement is well documented as a highly effective way of managing and improving our mental health.

“Football is an excellent vehicle for combining physical activity with social interaction - another well-known antidote for mental health issues.

“So, we have arranged this very friendly match against United Cornwall Football Club for our staff.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to showcase events like this, but what we hope is that activities like this match plant the seed for more sustained involvement over a longer period of time.

“We’re really grateful to Jack and also the lovely people up at Nanpean Football Club for enabling this to happen.

“Absolutely everyone is welcome to either play or support, so please just let us know if you fancy it!”

Admission to the game is free and there will be refreshments available from the clubhouse.

Read Football’s coming home for Mental Health Awareness Week…

This forms part of our commitment to amplify the voices of people who use services, as well as addressing stigma around mental health and signposting support.

From 14 to 16 May, we are working with partners and service users to coordinate community mental health fairs at day resource centres and village halls in Camborne, Fraddon and Bodmin.

The fairs will bring together over 13 voluntary sector organisations. These include Pentreath, Sport in Mind, Music for Good, Healthy Cornwall and Cornwall Mind. Members of the Trust’s talking therapies, perinatal and complex emotional difficulties services will also have stalls.

Sarah-Lou Skitt, Head of Nursing and Allied Professionals for our Community Mental Health Team says: “Admitting to and asking for support for mental health issues takes courage. In bringing together members of local mental health charity sector organisations and NHS specialists in one relaxed space, we hope that people can have informal discussions about the support they need.”

As well as signposting support, the fairs will be an opportunity to have fun.

“These days are about celebrating. The journey to recovery can be hard when you have mental health challenges. We want to celebrate that hard work and the people and organisations that support the process.

“People who use our services have spent weeks preparing decorations. There is a real buzz around these events. Local organisations have donated raffle prizes. We are hoping the sun will be shining, we can be outside, and people can enjoy a Cornish cream team with us!”

Sarah-Lou Skitt

To aid the celebrations, Music for Good are running music workshops and local artists are running art and gardening sessions.

“We want to remind people that whilst mental health is bringing us together at these events, we are all so much more than our mental health. We can all benefit from creating art, making music, and spending time chatting over lunch or a cream tea."

Zannagh Hatton, Resource Centre Recovery Worker

The events will be taking place from 10am to 4pm on:

• Tuesday 14 May at Boundervean Day Resource Centre, Camborne
• Wednesday 15 May at Fraddon Village Hall
• Thursday 16 May at Trelil Court, Bodmin

Read Community mental health services open their doors…

A new integrated health and social care facility on the Isles of Scilly has secured both planning permission and national funding approval.

The aim is to develop and continue an integrated model of care that supports the needs of the island communities. It is hoped this will future-proof services for years to come.

What will the new facility provide?

The facility will be located on the site of St Mary's Community Hospital and land next to St Mary's Health Centre.

It will include 12 residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds, and a modern maternity suite. Other outpatient services will continue. These include x-ray, minor injury unit, dental and consulting rooms.

The facility and new model of care will provide robust services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible. This will include maximising digital technologies and remote support to provide more enabled care on the islands.

“I am delighted our joint project has now secured both planning permission and national funding approval. It is a fantastic opportunity to improve the islands’ health and care facilities. It is also critical to ensuring their long-term sustainability.

“Not only will the investment mean we can develop an integrated workforce and state-of-the-art building, but it will also allow us to deliver more services on the islands.

“We will also be looking at how digital and technological developments will help us better connect the off islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland. These are designed to reduce health-related travel for both islanders and clinicians and provide patients with the best possible care at home or as close to home as possible”.

Debbie Richards, Chief Executive

The project is a collaboration between: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Council of the Isles of Scilly; primary care; Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust; South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; voluntary sector partners; mental health services. All partners are working in collaboration with the Duchy of Cornwall.

Councillor Robert Francis is chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly. He describes the recent planning approval as a key milestone.

“This project is central to protecting and sustaining the health and wellbeing of our whole community on the Isles of Scilly. I am delighted that both planning permission and national funding are now in place.

“The integration of health and social care services has long been considered to be the best option for the islands, as it will enable a better use of resources and easier access to the services. It will also increase the likelihood of island residents being able to stay either at home or close to home as their health and social care needs increase.

“The council is excited to continue to work with our NHS colleagues in the delivery of this landmark project. It aims to improve the quality of life available to everyone on Scilly by reducing the risk of such essential services only being available on the mainland”.

This is the first time national NHS funding has been secured to deliver a build that will incorporate care home facilities.

“I am so excited that national funding approval and planning permission have been given for these essential services for the islands.

“This highlights our commitment to working with islanders to put in place the services they need to live their lives and access the health and care they need from birth through to older age in their own community”.

Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

What will happen and when?

• The Trust received approval for its short-form business case on 26 March 2024.
• On 18 April 2024, planning permission was granted by the Council of the Isles of Scilly.
• The first phase of archaeological studies began at the end of April 2024 and is well underway.
• Enabling works are due to begin later in May 2024.
• The modular build elements are expected to arrive on St Mary's in late summer 2024.
• Between summer 2024 and spring 2025, the Trust and the Council of the Isles of Scilly will engage with residents and staff. This will include workshops and events to gather views on how the facility and model of care will be developed.
• Work to refurbish the existing St Mary's Community Hospital site is expected to start in early 2025.
• The facility will be fully operational by summer 2025.

Read Full steam ahead for Isles of Scilly health and social care facility…

Our Research Team and the Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation Service are looking for people to take part in a study. This will look at ways to help arm recovery after a stroke.

The trial is known as ‘TRICEPS’ (transcutaneous limb recovery post-stroke). It will look at whether arm recovery after a stroke can be improved with a treatment called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. It is led by researchers from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield.

This study builds on previous research which found that an implant to stimulate the vagal nerve could help improve limb function post stroke.

The Research Team and Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation Service are looking to trial the new study with people who are further along in their recovery pathway, from 6 months up to 10 years. In the past there have been limited options for people at this stage in their recovery to receive further help.

The Research Team will be working alongside a number of therapy staff to screen potential participants. They will then support them throughout the study if they wish to take part.

Angela Gibbon is a consultant physiotherapist in the Trust’s Community Neurological Team. She will be the principal investigator in the study. Angela will work with Kathryn Beck, who is the lead research nurse, and other members of the Research Team.

"The trial is aimed at people who have had a stroke, between 6 months and 10 years ago. We need to find 10 people from Cornwall to participate in the study.

“Upper limb rehab for people who have had a stroke tends to consist of lots of repetitive activities with the arm, strengthening exercises. This means using the arm a lot in functional tasks. So, getting people to do everyday activities. Sometimes we use electrical stimulation to stimulate the muscles in the arm.

“But this will be a really exciting addition. The study is looking at whether this vagus nerve stimulation, plus the activity, improves what we’re using at the moment.”

Angela Gibbon

Liz Tremayne-Ward is a team lead for the Trust’s stroke and neurological rehabilitation service. She will be supporting Angela in the study.

“This is a really exciting therapy study. We rarely get studies that focus on people with strokes further down the line in their stroke recovery. For us, it’s about developing evidence. This is an exciting opportunity to get something evidence-based to under-pin on practice. We will also see if this is a therapy we can offer our patients.

“This study also gives a real chance for our team to work with the research team. This is a chance for us to bridge the gap between our knowledge and practice and under-pin it with good quality evidence.

“The study went live in March. We have highlighted 1 potential participant, but we are looking to recruit 9 more who live in Cornwall. If you have had a stroke, you may have a weakness in an arm. You might have had a stroke which affects your anterior circulation.

“If you’re interested in the study then we would really like to hear from you. The Research Team will discuss the trial with you and see whether you meet the criteria. It’s a really exciting chance to have further rehab further down the pathway, which can be challenging in the current climate.”

Liz Tremayne-Ward

The trial is funded by a partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council and the Association of British Neurologists Fellowship. It is co-funded by the Stroke Association and Berkeley Foundation.

Around 110,000 people suffer with a stroke in the UK every year. As a result, a third of stroke survivors are left with permanent arm weakness.

This study will build on the results of a recent clinical trial. This showed that stimulating damaged areas of the brain using invasive vagus nerve stimulation improved arm recovery in stroke survivors when combined with stroke therapy.

In this trial, the stimulation will be triggered via a lightweight, wearable pacemaker-like device which connects to a wired earpiece. The stimulation will then be automatically activated as the arm is moved during therapy whilst the connected earpiece gently tickles the ear. This means people can access the treatment at home and without the need for a surgical implant.

“Previous studies have required invasive surgical insertion of a stimulator and hospital visits to activate it. This has proved challenging in practice.

“This study uses a new technology that participants can use to stimulate the vagal nerve at home through a small removable earpiece.

“It is a really exciting study and has the potential to change future care. It will involve our patients but also people in the community who had a stroke years ago and have learned to live with their arm weakness.”

Ben Hyams, Research Manager and Lead Research Nurse for the Trust

Interested in taking part in the study? Email the Research Team or call 01209 204 020.

Read Trust appeals for people to come forward in new stroke study…

Staff at Newquay Community Hospital have revealed how x-ray waiting times at Newquay Community Hospital are being reduced thanks to a new upgrade.

Work was recently completed on the project and means more patients can now be seen every day. The upgrade includes new digital radiography equipment. This uses x-ray–sensitive plates to directly capture data during examinations. The data is then sent to a computer system without the need for a cassette. This speeds up the process and produces higher quality images.

The diagnostic service is provided by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. This way of joint working means there is improved access for local people.

Rebecca Tica is a clinical matron for Newquay and Falmouth Community Hospitals. She says: “We have much clearer images and diagnostics for our patients. We’re hoping that because these images are instant, waiting times will be reduced.

“We’re hoping that we will be able to see an additional 10 and 15 patients per day.”

She adds: “We’ve been closed for 2 months while this major upgrade takes place. We’ve not only got the upgraded Philips x-ray machine, but we’ve also got new flooring, everything has been decorated so it’s feeling lovely and fresh.

“Our minor injury unit practitioners have shown me some of the x-rays that they’re seeing and they’re so much clearer. It’s made a clear diagnosis a lot easier for them as well, so it’s great news all round.”

Read New x-ray upgrade reduces waiting times at Newquay Community Hospital…

A new song has been released to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and it is the brainchild of 2 autistic NHS colleagues in Cornwall.

Ian Summers, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and David Kirwan, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust are the driving force behind 'Welcome Home'.

David says the idea came from a simple conversation about how to promote autism acceptance and grew from there:

"Everyone involved gave their time freely, because we believe in supporting positive change. This idea of an uplifting, hopeful and positive song was really what we wanted. That is what happened and that is amazing.

"The takeaway is that there is hope and that inclusion is important. My biggest thing that I really do love in all areas I work in is language. The change in language from the things we struggle with and the challenges we face, to hope and heading forward. The title of the song is 'Welcome Home'. The lyrics are that you have arrived, you are home again, welcome home. You are with the people who understand you. It is about understanding and it is wider than just the autistic community, it is inclusion for everyone. Inclusion is where my heart and soul is".

The song was written and voiced by confidence specialist and local singer Lucy Cox, using language shared by the Trusts' autism and neurodiversity networks.

Lucy is a parent of autistic children and tells us that as soon as she heard the idea, she was "in with both feet":

"It is important that people really listen to the lyrics of this song. For those people who do not directly understand the autistic experience, try to empathise with how it must feel to believe you do not fit in and there is not a place for you, but also to feel like there is a hope for the future.

"To our wonderful autistic community, I want them to listen to the lyrics and feel that sense of hope. To believe there is so much more good stuff ahead, and to feel heard and seen".

 

All money raised from the release of the song will go towards The Hugs Foundation. The equine rescue charity is based in Bodmin. It provides wellbeing support to a range of people, including children and young people.

Hazel is the charity's Youth Service Manager. She tells us any money raised will make an amazing difference to all those the team support:

"We have helped over 700 children here at the charity and we hope to be able to continue to deliver that. Because we are a charity, we cannot do that without support. This song means so much to the charity and we are so excited.

"The song is absolutely amazing. When we all first listened to it, we were just frozen to our seats really. Realising how much it resonated with everybody in the Hugs team, we know it is going to mean so much to so many".

'Welcome Home' is now available on Spotify. Listen to the song on Spotify.

Lucy has also set up a fundraiser on Just Giving, in support of The Hugs Foundation. Read more about the fundraiser

Read Cornwall NHS workers behind new song to promote autism acceptance…

Plans for a new integrated health and social care facility on the Isles of Scilly have taken a huge step forward. It is thanks to the project having secured national funding approval.

The aim is to develop and continue an integrated model of care that supports the needs of the island communities. It is hoped this will future-proof services for years to come.

What will the new facility provide?

The centre will be located on the site of St Mary's Community Hospital and land next to St Mary's Health Centre.

It will provide 12 residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds, and a modern maternity suite.

Other outpatient services will continue. These include x-ray, minor injury unit, dental and consulting rooms.

"This joint project is a fantastic opportunity to improve health and care facilities on the islands. It is critical for the long-term sustainability of health and social care services. I am delighted that it has secured national funding approval.

"The investment will see services provided by an integrated workforce from a fit for purpose building. It will reduce the risk of some services having to move to the mainland.

"Combined with the digital investment, it is designed to reduce health-related travel for both islanders and clinicians".
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive

The facility will be part of a new model of care. Together with the Council of the Isles of Scilly and colleagues from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, primary care, South Western Ambulance Service, the voluntary sector and mental health services, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will provide robust services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible. This will include maximising digital technologies and remote support to provide more enabled care on the islands.

"The allocation of funding for this project to deliver a new integrated health and social care facility on the islands is excellent news. It is a great outcome for all the hard work put in by the partners involved.

"The council’s corporate plan promises to retain on island residential care and to work with health colleagues to combine health and social care services on the islands for the benefit of the whole community.

"With the announcement that funding for the facility has been confirmed, the council can focus on working with the Trust and the wider health sector to develop an integrated service supported by modern facilities that will meet the needs of the Islands."
Councillor Robert Francis, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly

What next?

The Trust received approval for its short-form business case on Tuesday 26 March 2024.

“I am so excited that national funding approval has been given for these essential services for the islands. This highlights our commitment to working with islanders to put in place the services they need to live their lives and access the health and care they need from birth through to older age in their own community".
Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board

It means the Trust, the Council of the Isles of Scilly and partners can move the project forward, from gathering the views of residents and staff to the ordering and shipping of materials needed to develop the facility.

"It is such a relief that the integrated care facility can now move to the next stage. The development will enable a model of care that will be great for residents on Scilly and also a blueprint on how health and care services could be integrated in rural settings.

"My thanks must go to all those who have worked over many years to demonstrate the opportunity that exists for Scilly and navigate the processes and systems that are not necessarily designed for isolated communities.

"It has not been straightforward, but it is an example of what can be achieved when we all work together in the interest of those we serve".
Derek Thomas, MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Enabling works are due to start in April 2024. The facility is due to be finished by summer 2025.

Read New health and social care facility for Isles of Scilly…