The six Cornish MPs have welcomed this morning's announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock that Cornwall will get up to £450 million for a new hospital.
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.
The case for a new Cornish hospital was presented to the Health Secretary at a meeting with all 6 of Cornwall’s MPs earlier this year. That the government has accepted this and committed to fund a new hospital so soon is great news for all in the Duchy.
Commenting, St Austell and Newquay MP and Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, Steve Double said:
"Today's announcement is quite simply a game changer for acute care in Cornwall."
"For as long as I can remember, people have been crying out for a new hospital in Cornwall, to take pressure off the existing site at Treliske and to have an acute care centre at a more accessible location in Cornwall."
"Today's announcement is the first step to achieving this and I welcome the opportunity to work with the local NHS and my Cornish MP colleagues to make this new hospital a reality as soon as we can."
Commenting, Truro and Falmouth MP Sarah Newton said:
“This is great news for local people, patients and people working in our NHS. This sum is in addition to the previously announced investment of £135 million for new facilities and services provided by the RCHT at Treliske. It will be for our local health and care leaders to decide how this new money can best be spent. I think it is important to provide as many services as possible close to people’s homes and families so will be asking that serious consideration be given to spending some of this new funding upgrading our Community Hospitals. This would make life easier for people and reduces the pressure on Treliske.”