West Cornwall Hospital Construction Reaches Key Stage

Significant progress has been made in the development of a new hospital facility in Cornwall. The new outpatient department at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance now has its roof and exterior walls completed. This £9 million undertaking, designed to provide modern, accessible, and technologically advanced amenities, commenced in February. The building work is projected to conclude in April 2025, with the facility anticipated to begin receiving patients in May. Paul Sylvester, the hospital’s general manager, stated that the new structure had been “a long time coming”. “I remember talking about this 10 years ago,” he said. He added, “I never ever thought we’d get to the stage where I’d be walking around a new department, it’s absolutely incredible.” He mentioned that the former outpatient facility constituted the oldest section of the hospital and suffered from a leaking roof, confined passageways, and inadequate sound quality. Shirley Harris, who serves as the hospital’s head of nursing, commented that the new hospital featured “state-of-the-art” facilities. She explained that patients would have the option to attend virtual clinics at the hospital with consultants based in Truro, thereby enabling them to access medical attention nearer to their residences. She further stated: “It will be the right environment to deliver the right care.” Jim McKenna, a Cornwall councillor representing Penzance Promenade, expressed that the new department would create “a huge difference” for the locality. He added, “It’ll be a real shot in the arm for the hospital.” He concluded, “It secures the long-term future of the hospital, but the key thing is more people living locally will be treated locally.” Individuals can follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram, and submit story suggestions to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding their external linking policy is available.