Healthcare in Cornwall

Healthcare in Cornwall refers to the provision of healthcare services in the county of Cornwall, United Kingdom. Until July 2022, healthcare in Cornwall was overseen by the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), an organization established by the National Health Service (NHS) to coordinate healthcare delivery in England. The responsibility of the CCG was to ensure the effective delivery of NHS services in Cornwall, including the Isles of Scilly.

The history of healthcare in Cornwall dates back to 1947 when NHS services were managed by the South-Western Regional Hospital Board. Over the years, the management structure underwent several changes, with Cornwall coming under different regional health authorities. In 2002, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) was established to manage healthcare services in the region. However, both the PCT and the strategic health authority were abolished in 2012.

In October 2017, a report by the Care Quality Commission highlighted issues with the integration of health and social care services in Cornwall. The report identified a lack of collaboration between different parts of the system, resulting in delays in accessing appropriate care.

Efforts have been made to address these challenges through sustainability and transformation plans. In July 2015, the government announced a devolution deal for Cornwall, granting local control over health and social care services. The sustainability and transformation plan for Cornwall aims to improve the utilization and sustainability of community hospitals, develop integrated community care hubs, and integrate services such as NHS 111 and the out-of-hours service.

In July 2017, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust established a joint board to gradually unite clinical and non-clinical services, paving the way for the creation of an accountable care system.

Overall, healthcare in Cornwall has undergone various changes and initiatives to improve the integration and delivery of services. The transition from clinical commissioning groups to integrated care systems marks a significant step towards achieving better healthcare outcomes for the residents of Cornwall.