Philip Dunne, the Health Minister who shares responsibility for acute and community hospitals as well as the integration of health and social care services, was in Penzance on Friday to see for himself how West Cornwall Hospital is adapting to the challenges of the future.
Invited by West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas, the Minister enjoyed a tour of the hospital which recently received £2 million of investment for a CT scanner and digital X-ray equipment and hosted an engagement session with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff.
Derek said: “I was delighted to welcome the Minister to West Cornwall Hospital where hospital staff, local GPs and other health workers are combining to put together new models of social care.
“It’s a great example of a hospital where improvements are continually being made and where there is a clear plan for the future.
“As far as I am concerned, the GPs’ locality plan for West Cornwall provides a really good starting point to bring health services and social care together and many of their good ideas are already being put into practice.”