Archive

Title Description Date
Six Bungles And No Funeral: The Short Life, Unmourned Death And High Cost Of Cornwall's Sustainability And Transformation Plan For The Nhs A paper written by Dr Peter Levin about the bungles made since the launch of Cornwall's STP for the NHS. April 2018
West Cornwall Healthwatch Response To The Proposed Accountable Care Accord Cornwall Council Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee have set up a panel of 6 councillors to hold an inquiry into the proposed Accord for a shadow accountable care system between health and social care providers. West Cornwall Health Watch have responded to the panel. January 2018
Minor Injuries Units In Cornwall - 'Absolutely No Decisions Have Been Made - Which Means What Exactly? Peter Levin Probably we all think we know what a decision is? But not everyone knows that the word ‘decision’ means one thing to the man and woman in the street and quite another to a bureaucrat? Read on to learn what consequences this can have. January 2018
An Accountable Care System For Cornwall: An Exercise In Empire-Building, By Peter Levin The latest report on the 'Shaping our Future' project for health and social care in Cornwall, placed before Cornwall's Health and Wellbeing Board on January 25th, 2018, raises an important question about the project: is its purpose to meet the needs of the people of Cornwall, or is it primarily an exercise in empire-building? January 2018
Nhs Cornwall Poised To Close Minor Injury Units By Peter Levin In a week when Treliske hospital has been on black alert and ambulances have been queuing outside waiting to discharge patients instead of answering emergency calls, Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group continues to pursue a policy of closing Cornwall’s NHS Minor Injury Units, while insisting that nothing has yet been decided. January 2018
Five Kinds Of Nonsense Are Keeping A Community Hospital Closed A summary of the timeline about the 'temporary' closure of the inpatient beds at Edward Hain Community Hospital, St Ives. Recent reports to the Cornwall Council Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the matter have revealed the five kinds of nonsense that face those trying to bring together health and social care services in Cornwall and the public who are trying to understand the situation. October 2017
The Naylor Report Reviewed By West Cornwall Healthwatch An informative review of Robert Naylor's independent report on NHS property and estates, prepared for West Cornwall HealthWatch. September 2017
Cornwall's Stp. Why We Need To See What's Going On. An analysis by Dr Peter Levin of how the planning for Cornwall's STP is proceeding and why the public should be worried. September 2017
Community Hospitals Under Threat This report examines recent developments and draws some pessimistic conclusions about the Shaping our Future plan for health and social care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, but goes on to suggest a more positive way forward. August 2017
Health And Social Care - Why Responsibility For Communications And Engagement Should Not Be Combined In A Single Position - A Cautionary Tale From Cornwall This report tells the story of Cornwall's Sustainability and Transformation Plan from late 2016 to mid-2017, focusing on the problems of securing 'engagement' by the public. It reveals how communications between health bodies and the local authority, Cornwall Council, have come close to breaking down, and identifies the root cause of this as the combining of responsibilities for communications and engagement in a single position. July 2017
The Cornwall Stp Engagement Survey - What Have We Learned A critique of the report produced about the public engagement on Cornwall's Sustainability and Transformation Plan, outline business case, by Dr Peter Levin. April 2017
The Kings Fund Report On Delivering The Stps The Kings Fund report on delivering sustainability and transformation plans, from ambitious proposals to credible plans February 2017
West Cornwall Healthwatch Update On Cornwall March 2017 An update on Cornwall's NHS, Social Care and STP for Spring 2017, produced by West Cornwall HealthWatch for their pop up shop in Penzance. February 2017
Evidence From Konp For The Overview And Scrutiny Committee On Cornwall's Stp Evidence submitted to the Cornwall Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the STP for Cornwall, by Keep Our NHS Public. February 2017
Patients On Wheels Report From 2000 An in-depth investigation, carried out by members of Cornwall Community Health Council, into transport and access to health services in Cornwall in 2000. This is still relevant today in 2017. Unfortunately in converting the document to website suitable some of the tables and maps were not reproducible. January 2017
Evidence On Integrated Care A report produced by West Cornwall HealthWatch on the evidence for integrated care January 2017
Nhs Kernow's 111 And Out Of Hours Survey NHS Kernow's NHS 111 and Out of Hours questionnaire, not fit for purpose January 2017
Design And Use Of Questionnaires An introduction to the design and use of survey questionnaires, for NHS and local authority managers. January 2017
The Cornwall Stp Survey: Why Is It So Difficult To Have Your Say The Cornwall STP survey - a critique of the survey and why it is so difficult to have your say January 2017
Health And Social Care At Risk In Cornwall Is the Sustainability and Transformation Plan really a programme to Slash, Trash and Privatize the NHS? A report from West Cornwall HealthWatch. January 2017
Cornwall Stp From Planning To Implementation, A Presentation Cornwall STP - a presentation at the Leeds Conference, titled from Planning to Implementation, on Dec 1st 2016, by Joyce Redfearn. Independent Chair of Cornwall Transformation Board. November 2016
Nuffield Evaluation Of The Reducing Winter Pressures Fund Nuffield evauation of the reducing winter pressures fund, including the East Cornwall Living Well project. October 2016
Fractured Nhs Conference Held In Truro 26.10.16 A conference held in Truro Oct 2016 about the STP and state of NHS. Speakers, Jim McKenna, Rik Evans, Andrew George, Kathy Byrne October 2016
Stps Explained (The Kings Fund) STPs explained - a report from the Kings Fund October 2016
Q & A Around Stps Q & A around STPs. An NHS document October 2016
Engaging Local People (Stps) An NHS guide for areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans. October 2016
Evidence About The Reconfiguration Of Clinical Services The reconfiguration of clinical Services. What is the evidence? The Kings Fund. October 2016
Over Ambitious Stps Over ambitious STPs risk blowing up due to funding shortfall October 2016
Where Now For 'Living Well' In Cornwall? West Cornwall HealthWatch, Living Well Project - examination of funding August 2016
Evaluation Of Nhs Kernow Procurement Document Dec 2015 An evaluation of a procurement framework document produced by NHS Kernow for public consultation, subsequently removed from consultation, by Dr Peter Levin, for West Cornwall HealthWatch July 2016
Evaluation Of Health And Social Care Survey March 2016 An evaluation of the Health and Social Care Survey carried out by Cornwall Council and NHS Kernow in March 2016, by Dr Peter Levin for West Cornwall HealthWatch July 2016
Evaluation Of Nesta Paper On Living Well, Cornwall Critique of the Nesta evaluation of the Living Well project in Cornwall by Dr Peter Levin for West Cornwall HealthWatch, 2015 July 2016
Title Description Date
2023 campaign for reinstatement of 24/7 opening of the Urgent Treatment Centre at WCH Mission statement setting out the reasons behind the 2023 campaign to reopen the WCH Urgent Treatment Centre 24/7
Patient stories supporting 2023 campaign for Urgent treatment Centre opening hours A collection of anonymised patient stories
Can Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust Be "Brilliant" ? Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) have been presented with a "Journey to Brilliant " strategy for 2019 to 2022. RCHT provide acute and emergency services to two thirds off Cornwall's population. "Journey to Brilliant " is an important document with a series of aspirations and raises series concerns. Read our thoughts on "Journey to Brilliant". June 2019
Don't Close Community Beds : Turn Them Into Re-Ablement Centres Three Community Hospitals in Cornwall are under threat of closure. Instead of losing a valuable resource turn them into re-ablement centres and reduce the pressure on acute beds. Read the full report by Dr Peter Levin January 2019
NHS Celebrates 70 Years Of Service And Dedication Giant birthday cards signed by grateful members of the public were presented to all our local hospitals. August 2018
West Cornwall Healthwatch Column August 2018 West Cornwall HeathWatch August statement expressing major concerns about patient access to NHS services. August 2018
Letter To Press From 20 Local Medical Professionals Our NHS needs 20% more funding by 2020 – The NHS needs a significant cash injection now to reverse the decline in care. June 2018
Charter To Save Our Nhs Our NHS cannot be saved without more money. That’s why we’re asking the Government to commit to increasing funding by 20%, by 2020. June 2018
Cornishman Article April 2018 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman, April 2018. April 2018
Press Release Concerning Accountable Care System For Cornwall West Cornwall HealthWatch's press release concerning the chaos surrounding the setting up of a shadow Accountable Care System for Cornwall. March 2018
West Cornwall HealthWatch 2018 AGM And Discussion WCHW 2018 AGM including a discussion about what is happening in Cornwall's health and social care, led by Councillor Loveday Jenkin and journalist Graham Smith. February 2018
Cornishman Article February 2018 Cornishman article from West Cornwall HealthWatch about why it is difficult to integrate health and social care in Cornwall. The latest proposal to set up an Accountable Care System. February 2018
Response To 2017/18 Radiotherapy Consultation From West Cormwall Healthwatch A letter from West Cornwall HealthWatch in response to the 2017/18 consultation about radiotherapy services in Cornwall, where we fully support the existing service and oppose any reduction in this service. January 2018
Cornishman Article January 2018 West Cornwall HealthWatch January 2018 article for the Cornishman about state of the NHS, nationally and in Cornwall January 2018
Cornishman Article For December 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for Cornishman, December 2017. Subject 'Our NHS not for sale.' December 2017
Patient Transport Cuts, West Cornwall Healthwatch Cornishman Article Nov 2017 Removal of discretionary help for transport to hospital will have huge impact on patients needing treatment in Cornwall. November 2017
How The Nhs Works In 2017 A quick guide from the King's Fund explaining how the NHS works in 2017 October 2017
West Cornwall Healthwatch On Radio 4 Any Questions A list of the questions submitted by West Cornwall HealthWatch, for the panel on Radio 4 Any Questions, broadcast from the Solomon Browne Hall, Mousehole, 27th October 2017 October 2017
Cornishman Article October West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman, October 2017 October 2017
Your Address And The Ambulance Service Information to register your address with the Ambulance Service September 2017
Cornishman Article September 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman September 2017 September 2017
What Is Your Experience Of Joined-Up Care? Tell Us Your Story West Cornwall HealthWatch are collecting stories of peoples' current experience of the local Health and Social Care service in Cornwall, to feed into the new plan for care in Cornwall. August 2017
Cornishman Article August 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman, August 2017 August 2017
Petition To Demand The Re-Provision Of Community Hospital Beds In Penwith West Cornwall HealthWatch are asking the public to sign a petition demanding the re-provision of Community Hospital Beds in Penwith as following the extended 'temporary' closure of Edward Hain Hospital beds, there are none in Penwith. July 2017
Cornishman Article July 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman, July 2017 July 2017
Cornwall Council H&Asc Osc Membership, And Pledges The new Cornwall Council Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee membership. June 2017
Cornishman Article June 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman June 2017, including our five commitments put to the PPCs for St Ives and Camborne/Hayle in the 2017 general election. June 2017
Wchw General Election Commitments For The Ppcs For St Ives And Camborne-Redruth WCHW have asked the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for the St Ives and Camborne-Redruth Constituencies to sign up to five commitments before the 2017 General Election This is followed by the responses we have received. May 2017
Cornishman Article For May 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch Cornishman article for May 2017 May 2017
Cornishman Article For April 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch Cornishman article for April 2017 April 2017
Wchw 2017 Agm March 2017
Cornishman Article March 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for the Cornishman, March 2017 March 2017
Pledges For Cornwall Councillors/Prospective Councillors In The May 2017 Elections A list of pledges West Cornwall HealthWatch would like all Councillors and candidates for the Cornwall Council elections in May, to sign up to and who has signed up. February 2017
March In Cornwall Against Nhs Cuts And Closures February 2017
Cornishman Article For February 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch February 2017 article for the Cornishman February 2017
Cornishman Article January 2017 West Cornwall HealthWatch Cornishman article for January 2017 January 2017
Stp Public Presentation10.1.17 St Johns Hall, Penzance West Cornwall HealthWatch flier with information about the presentation of the Cornwall STP to the public, St Johns Hall, Penzance, Tues Jan 10th at 7pm. January 2017
Wchw December 2016 Cornishman Article West Cornwall HealthWatch December 2016 Cornishman article about Edward Hain hospital and the Cornish STP December 2016
Have The Tories Killed Off The Best Health System In The World An interview with Dr Jacky Davis, one of the co-founders of Keep Our NHS Public about where we are with the NHS, STPs and privatisation November 2016
Cornwall's Stp, A View From West Cornwall Healthwatch, Nov 2016 An information leaflet produced by West Cornwall HealthWatch about where we are now, November 2016, with the Cornwall STP November 2016
Cornishman Article November 2016 West Cornwall HealthWatch article for November 2016 about STPs, EHH, new GP surgery November 2016
Cornishman Article Oct 2016 Edward Hain hospital concerns. Cornwall sustainability and transformation plan October 2016
Cornishman Article September 2016 NHS England's Sustainability and Transformation Plans article by West Cornwall HealthWatch September 2016
Change To Script For Offering Treatment Appointments The script has been altered to offer the patient the first available appointment, not the nearest location. August 2016
Where Now For 'Living Well' In Cornwall? Questions around the Living Well Project, August 2016, written on behalf of West Cornwall HealthWatch August 2016
Cornishman Article August 2016 Article about Edward Hain Hospital and Living Well Project in the Cornishman August 2016 August 2016
Worrying Edward Hain Community Hospital Update Latest news about closure of Edward Hain hospital inpatient beds, July 2016 July 2016
Meeting The Duchess Of Cornwall Committee members meeting the Duchess of Cornwall July 2016
July 2016 Update From West Cornwall Healthwatch Current Issues concerning West Cornwall HealthWatch July 2016 July 2016
May 2016 Cornishman Article An overview of Community Services by West Cornwall HealthWatch for the Cornishman May 2016 July 2016
Title Description Date
Press release following WCHW 2024 AGM Andrew George MP and Dr David Levine, retired WCH consultant spoke at the meeting about their hopes and fears for the future of the NHS and social care, relating particularly to West Cornwall.
WCHW on Mazey Day 2023 West Cornwall HealthWatch campaigning for the Urgent Treatment Centre at West Cornwall Hospital on Mazey Day, June 2023 June 2023
Announcement Of AGM What next for our local NHS and Social Care? Andrew George MP, Dr. David Levine, retired consultant physician September 2024
Review Of Cornwall's Draft Integrated Care Strategy The draft Integrated Care Strategy for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly was published at the beginning of March 2023. It is an incomplete piece of work. April 2023
What Is Going On At West Cornwall Hospital? The outpatient new build, much talked about last year, has been put on hold and many wonder if it will ever happen. February 2023
Passing The Buck To Social Care A recent analysis by The Guardian of official data claimed to show that on average 13,600 beds across NHS England are occupied every day by patients who doctors say are medically fit for discharge to their home or a care home . Read the Guardian article and our comments. November 2022
Privatisation Gathers Pace The number of patients seeking private treatment continues to rise, as dissatisfaction with the service provided by the NHS also rises. July 2022
"Still Waiting To Hear" Discussions in Cornwall about earwax removal continue, sadly with no end in sight. NHS Kernow has decided to defer a decision June 2022
We Need An Alliance Between Gp's And Patients A report by Peter Levin April 2022
Our Response To The Health And Care Bill While we learn to live with Covid, the government is pushing through massive changes to the NHS. Is this time to introduce top down changes to the organisational structure of the NHS?. February 2022
In The Bleak Midwinter As we approach the season of ‘peace and goodwill to all’, West Cornwall HealthWatch members are painfully aware of the situations in which so many of our residents currently find themselves, which brings neither peace nor goodwill to them: December 2021
Do We Really Have Enough Hospital Beds In Cornwall ? There’s an interesting controversy going on in Cornwall. NHS Kernow, the clinical commissioning group, says we have too many hospital beds, while the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, which runs Treliske and the other acute hospitals in the county, says more are needed. They can’t both be right. But they can both be wrong! September 2021
Cornwall’s New Integrated Care System: What We Are Hoping For. The go-ahead has been given for setting up an ‘integrated care system’ for Cornwall. We wait and see how things will develop and take a look at recent history. June 2021
Wax In Your Ears? For those who are affected ear wax is a significant problem; they have depended on their local GP practice to treat them when required, and they are now in limbo. June 2021
Deception Or Ineptitude? Disappointing , frustrating and misleading. The new 28 bed ' step down ' facility for Penzance only announced in November will not happen. February 2021
What's Going On ? Question to Cornwall Council Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee December 2020
Are You An Artificial Limb-User Living In Cornwall ? November 2020
Closing Edward Hain Hospital: What We Have Learned October 2020
Wax In Your Ears? October 2020
Open Letter To Local Mp's From West Cornwall Healthwatch West Cornwall HealthWatch welcomes the government’s commitment to boosting the test and trace system with an additional investment of £100bn. However........ September 2020
Is Our Nhs Under Threat From The Trade Bill August 2020
We Need More Than Just Clapping For Nhs And Care Staff While we all stood and clapped our support and appreciation for our NHS and Care Workers now is the time for the government to say more than just thank you . August 2020
Two Trusts To Become One. It has been talked about for several years, but now at last RCHT and CPFT are planning on a merger within two years. July 2020
Rivalry As To Who Should Shape Cornwall’s Integrated Health And Care System? Behind the scenes rivalry is becoming evident as to who should shape Cornwall's integrated health and care system . Should it be backroom visionaries or frontline practitioners. July 2020
Do You Need Urgent Nhs Care In Cornwall? Then Contact Nhs 111 A new system is in place throughout Cornwall for urgent medical care July 2020
The Embrace Care Project . Is It A Political Stunt ? The Embrace Care project is beginning to look like a political stunt. Cornwall’s frail older folk deserve better. June 2020
New Boss For Cornwall's Health And Care Farewell and thanks go to Jackie Pendleton and a warm welcome go to Helen Charlesworth-May in her new. role. April 2020
Foodbanks In West Cornwall March 2020
Vive Les Volunteers In Cornwall we are proud of our volunteering tradition. But is the recent advert to recruit those volunteers to help ease the crisis in the NHS and Social Care a step too far? February 2020
How To Get Better Value For Money From Cornwall's Nhs Hospitals Before health and social care services can be successfully integrated the NHS needs to get its own house in order. A new report, prepared by Dr Peter Levin sets out eight challenges that the NHS leadership must rise to if we are to get better value for the money, a better service for patients and a better working environment for staff. Go to the full report. February 2020
New Hope For Community Beds In West Cornwall ? General Election promises brings crunch time for lack of community beds in West Cornwall. Will there be a new purpose built facility? Will the saga of Edward Hain finally be concluded ? January 2020
Has Cornwall Been Failed By Westminster ? According to EU statistics West Cornwall is the second poorest region in Western Europe. How has Westminster over the past 3 Parliaments improved the health of the region . Is it “jam tomorrow ” ? December 2019
Concerns Over Land Sale At West Cornwall Hospital. An open letter has been sent to all of our local prospective MP's asking for their views. The good news of £11 million to improve services at West Cornwall Hospital Penzance and St Michael's Hayle has been soured by a possible land sell off . Read the full letter. Give us your views . November 2019
Cornish Trust Fined For 13 Breaches Of Duty Of Candour Rules Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust were fined a total of £16250 for 13 breaches of regulations relating to Duty of Candour which concern the honesty and openness of the organisation towards its patients. November 2019
The Care Home Market In Cornwall – In Crisis? Care Homes in Cornwall are closing as Cornwall's population is getting older. Cornwall is now classed as having a Super- Ageing Population at a time local health care services are under severe pressure. October 2019
The Ambulance Service In West Cornwall. Report on our meeting with South West Ambulance Trust . Encouraging responces although still important questions left unanswered. September 2019
The Vulnerable Suffer While Social Care Policy Stagnates. Why are we all being let down let down by a social care system not fit for the needs of the 21st century. August 2019
Loss Of Beds At Edward Hain Hospital Glossed Over. The new set-up at the Edward Hain hospital building in St Ives is receiving plaudits for its work as a day centre. Plans are being developed for a ‘community-based model of care’. But the loss of inpatient beds is being glossed over. July 2019
The Cost Of Getting Medical Treatment Medical treatment has been free at the point of need for over 70 years. For that we are the envy of the world. But what are real costs of medical treatment? First you have to be able to afford to get there and back. In a rural community such as ours we have a large dis-advantage. Getting to an appointment can be taxing and expensive. May 2019
Press Article On Agm 2019 Report on the AGM April 2019. Concerns about the constant changes discussed within our NHS and Social Care System. The Edward Haine saga continues . Our concerns regarding the shift to “care in the community” resulting in the lack of step down beds in Penwith resulting in pressure on those few remaining in West Cornwall. April 2019
The Nhs Long Term Plans Promise A Lot - But Will They Deliver ? The government’s NHS long-term plan, recently published, paints a compelling future for the future of care for older people, saying that care will becoming increasingly more coordinated and responsive and that, as a result, pressure on hospitals will be reduced and money saved Read the full article. March 2019
Edward Hain Hospital – Serving The Community Once Again Read all about the winter pilot scheme at Edward Hain Community Hospital. What are your experiences of the scheme . What are the long term plans ? February 2019
Local People Must Have A Say On Future NHS Spending West Cornwall is to receive an extra £9.1 million in NHS funding . Locals must be consulted on priorities and influence how it is to be spent. February 2019
Patient Stories Improve Health Services The importance of raising a concern or a complaint about any healthcare treatment you have received cannot be overstated. Raising an issue improves treatments for you and other patients. January 2019
Lack Of Teamwork Contributed To The Death Of Little Girl. How a lack of teamwork at the Royal Cornwall Hospital contributed to the death of a little girl with autism. November 2018
November Article On Local Hospitals West Cornwall Hospital to be " Urgent Care Centre". Growth of orthopaedics for St Michaels Hayle. Edward Hain debacle rumbles on. October 2018
Ambulance Service Woes Laid Bare Report on Ambulances Services makes grim reading for the South West. Response times in Cornwall for 999 calls excessive compared with neighbours. Reports of long waits for ambulances for Treliske. October 2018
Lack Of Dementia Care In Cornwall West Cornwall HealthWatch's concerns on the lack of dementia care in Cornwall as number living with dementia constantly rise. September 2018
Who’s In Charge At Treliske? By Dr Peter Levin Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust update: With a new (interim) Chief Executive, could a change in culture be on the way August 2018
Improved Rcht Ed Waiting Times, Good News Or Fake News? A report from West Cornwall HealthWatch explaining how the 'improved' ED waiting times at Treliske are actually worse than before. September 2017
Title Description Date
WCH Community Forum 19.08.16 A short report of the WCH Community Forum meeting held on 19.08.16 August 2016
NHS Kernow Meeting 02.08.2016 Brief report on NHS Kernow meeting held in St Austell on 02.08.2016 August 2016
NHS Kernow Board Meeting 5 Jul 2016 Points raised at the NHS Kernow Board meeting held in Penzance 5 Jul 2016 July 2016