proposal for new community hub for penzance
A CALL FOR REOPENING THE POLTAIR DEBATE
West Cornwall HealthWatch has written to NHS Kernow and Peninsula Community Health, calling for an urgent meeting of stakeholders with a view to re-open the debate on the loss of Poltair's community hospital beds, because of
a) the continual and significant pressures on acute services at both Royal Cornwall and West Cornwall Hospitals
b) the significant pressures experienced in our community hospitals (most now operating at over 95% occupancy, which is well above the accepted level for delivering high quality, safe patient care)
c) the lack of high quality nursing and residential home capacity and domiciliary care in the west of Cornwall
d) the fact that the option for a new build with inpatient beds as a replacement for Poltair on the St Clare site has been lost
e) the fact that we remain unconvinced that the Penwith 'Living Well' Project, good as it is, will deliver any significant reduction in non-elective activity
Within two days, the letter received the endorsement of the two RCHT Shadow Governors for West of Cornwall; local Cornwall Councillors Bill Maddern and Mario Fonk, Andrew George MP, Health Initiative Cornwall, and St Just Town Council. Further support is anticipated as the letter is more widely circulated.
THE FUTURE FOR POLTAIR HOSPITAL SERVICES
Now that the Board of NHS Kernow has voted to close Poltair, once alternative sites for its services can be found, and to lose the inpatient beds previously provided there, we as a community have to decide on our next moves to ensure adequate and quality provision for our elderly and vulnerable residents. Please see our press statement issued 19th May, in our Press Statements section of this website.
We as a committee would like to monitor what is happening to patients in the community who have recently received NHS care either in hospital or at home. Please contact us with your stories. You can use the 'Contact Us' section of this website. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.
AN INTEGRATED CARE CENTRE FOR PENWITH AT ST CLARE?
THE IDEA GATHERS PACE
A growing number of people are throwing their weight behind West Cornwall HealthWatch's visionary plan for the future of Poltair's - and Edward Hain's - beds and services. Some staff have described it as a "game-changer". We hope so. We urge all those involved to work to make a dream a reality.