OPEN LETTER
27th September
To
Chair and Managing Director, NHS Kernow
GP Lead, Penwith GP Locality Group
Chair and Chief Executive, Peninsula
Community Health

Dear Madam/Sirs
POLTAIR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, PENZANCE
In view 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
 -      we request an urgent meeting of stakeholders with a view to re-opening the debate on the loss of Poltair's community hospital beds.
Yours faithfully
Jane Varker (Mrs)
Chair, on behalf of West Cornwall HealthWatch