Government pledges more beds at Cornwall's main hospital to ease pressure
The Minister of State for Health has written a letter to the Duchy's MPs
Last updated 25th Aug 2022
The Minister for Health has written a letter to Cornwall's MPs, outlining a package of support for our under-pressure health service.
Newquay and St Austell MP, Steve Double, shared a copy on social media earlier this week, in which Maria Caulfield mentions additional hospital beds for A&E at Treliske, freeing up ambulances to respond to 999 calls.
It follows the case of a pensioner who is said to have waited 15 hours for an ambulance after a fall at his home.
The government measures also include commissioning a private ambulance service, to help ensure patients are discharged quicker.
The letter also mentions the opening of cardiology virtual wards by the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, boosting staff numbers involved brokering care packages and extra support lines for care homes.
Sharing the letter on Facebook, Mr Double said the Health Secretary will meet with the CEO of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' NHS Trust to discuss further action.
He also promised all officials will do everything they can to ensure concerns are acted upon.
The MP posted: "Following my representations, along with Cornish MP colleagues last week, I am pleased to see the substantial response below from the Health Minister which outlines the extreme pressures facing Cornwall's health services at present, as well as the measures being taken to address them.
"I am also pleased the Secretary of State for Health will soon be meeting with the CEO of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust to discuss what more can be done.
"In the meantime we will do all we can to ensure concerns raised are acted upon so the services can be run as they should".