Minister must step in to address Cornwall’s health funding crisis, says MP

News of a jobs freeze at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) has been described as “shocking” by St Ives Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George. 

The trust, which runs the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro, St Michael’s Hospital, Hayle, and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, revealed last week that almost all staff recruitment is to be halted for the next three months in order to tackle a budget deficit of almost £3.5 million.   

Andrew said: “The announced jobs freeze is shocking – especially at a time when our NHS is facing the biggest crisis in its history.” 

The announcement came days before Andrew and Cornwall’s other five MPs are due to meet health minister Karin Smyth to highlight Cornwall’s health crisis on Wednesday (11th September) 

“The minister needs to know we cannot carry on like this,” said Andrew. “The government’s funding formula is insufficient for Cornwall’s needs and has left the whole health service in crisis. We cannot carry on like this.” 

At Wednesday’s meeting, Cornwall’s MPs will raise a series of concerns including the long ambulance queues outside the emergency department at Treliske; the uncertainty regarding the delivery of the women’s and children’s unit at the hospital; the under resourcing of mental health, and the lack of dental services in many areas of Cornwall.