The NHS is a great British institution. All of us will rely on it at some point in our lives. Last year, the independent Commonwealth Fund looked at health services around the world and considered that what we have in the UK is the best in the world. The many hard working nurses and doctors who contribute to this success have a lot of be proud of. Locally we have great work done at St Michael's Hospital, which is a national leader in breast surgery, and Camborne and Redruth Hospital which has a number of specialisms including stroke and prosthetics.
As part of the Queen's Speech, the Government set out that it will deliver on its manifesto commitment to enshrine in law the £33.9bn increase in funding for the NHS. This is the largest, and the longest, cash commitment ever made to the NHS.
Locally there have also been significant announcements for Cornwall with the Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock announcing that Cornwall will receive up to £450 million for a new hospital. This is great news for everyone in Cornwall and will be a significant boost to the many staff and patients who have come to give so much to our NHS. The plans are part of a new strategic Health Investment Programme of £13billion to upgrade hospitals across the country. This will include funds for the NHS in Cornwall to begin work, with local decision makers, to consider options and work up the business case, which could include a brand new acute hospital on a new site, upgrading of existing Community Hospitals as well as redevelopment of existing facilities at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske. This truly is welcome news and once more demonstrates the government’s commitment to delivering first class public services for everyone.
You can read more about the Government's priorities for the NHS at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/what-record-nhs-investment-means-for-each-of-my-priorities
