£1.8m of funding announced to help upgrade facilities at hospitals in Cornwall
Improvements are expected to be made by the spring
Staff, patients and visitors at NHS hospitals in Cornwall will benefit from new or upgraded facilities and other significant improvements by the spring.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that the government is investing £600million to tackle “crucial” maintenance work in hospitals across England which will “deliver immediate benefits”.
The South West has been allocated £45.8million of this for 199 maintenance projects across 21 Trusts.
Cornwall will receive £1.8million for 12 projects. This includes £1.7million for Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (seven projects) and £100,000 for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (five projects).
Meanwhile, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which provides services in Cornwall and across the region, has been awarded £925,000 for eight projects.
The projects are under way and will be completed by March 2021.
They include new or refurbished buildings to deliver key services, replacing hospital lifts, upgrading electrical infrastructure, work to improve fire safety and enhancing ventilation systems.
The investment is part of £1.5billion announced by the Prime Minister in the summer to level up hospital infrastructure across the NHS.
This includes plans to modernise mental health facilities, expand A&E capacity and improve infection control ahead of winter.
“I am delighted to be part of this Conservative Government that continues to deliver on the manifesto pledges that I was elected on a year ago.
“These projects will improve the experience for patients and staff alike in our local NHS.
“I look forward to seeing the projects realised in 2021 and will continue to do all I can to lobby for continued investment in these crucial services.”
Truro and Falmouth MP, Cherilyn Mackrory
“Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.
“These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary