Healthcare in Cornwall

Healthcare in Cornwall, United Kingdom, is now the responsibility of Kernow clinical commissioning group, an National Health Service (NHS) organisation set up by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to organise the delivery of NHS services in England. As far as the NHS is concerned Cornwall includes the Isles of Scilly.

History

From 1947 to 1974, NHS services in Cornwall were managed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board. In 1974 the Boards were abolished and replaced by Regional Health Authorities. Cornwall came under the South West RHA. Regions were reorganised in 1996 and Devon came under the South and West (Wessex and South Western) Regional Health Authority. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly constituted a District health authority from 1974 until 2002 when Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary care trust was established. This was managed by the South West Peninsula Strategic health authority from 2002 until 2006 when that was merged into NHS South West. The PCT and the Strategic health authority were abolished in 2012.

Primary and Community Care

There are 69 GP practices in the county. St Mary’s hospital on the Isles of Scilly is a small community hospital with a Minor Injuries Unit run by Peninsula Community Health which also runs community hospitals all over Cornwall. The Out-of-hours service contract, worth £8m a year, from 2015 has been awarded to Devon Doctors, a GP led social enterprise, and Kernow Health, a community interest company run by member practices. The consortium will operate under the name Cornwall Health.[1]

Healthwatch

Healthwatch was set up under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to act as a voice for patients. There is one Healthwatch for Cornwall and a separate Healthwatch for the Isles of Scilly.

Mental health

NHS mental health services in the county are largely provided by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. According to the trust between 8 and 12 patients a month have to be sent out of Cornwall, because there is an "inadequate provision" of beds.[2]

Hospital and acute care

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust provides hospital care in the west of the county. Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust serves the east. Specialised services are provided from other trusts outside the area. Cornwall Air Ambulance was the first dedicated helicopter emergency medical service operational in the United Kingdom. The Duchy Hospital run by Ramsay Health Care in Truro is the only private hospital in the County. It has 27 in-patient beds.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Social enterprises win Cornwall out of hours contract". Health Service Journal. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Lack of mental health beds causes concern". West Briton. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.

External links