A review of the use of the 20 in-patient beds at Falmouth Community Hospital is underway, the NHS responsible for running it has confirmed.
Falmouth hospital is at the centre of a major shift in Cornwall’s healthcare strategy, as the NHS looks to provide more care in people’s homes and reduce reliance on inpatient beds.
The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) has confirmed it is reviewing the use of its 20 inpatient beds at Falmouth Hospital, with a view to potentially phasing some of them out.
The move is part of a wider plan to improve patient outcomes by avoiding long hospital stays, which research shows can reduce mobility, independence, and long-term quality of life.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Community hospitals, like the one in Falmouth, have provided vital support to people for many years.
"They remain a vital community asset from which we expect to be delivering our community and neighbourhood services for the future, in line with the ten-year plan.
"Our hospitals are held in high esteem locally. Our focus is ensuring they have vibrant futures, delivering the best outcomes for people in the right place at the right time in line with modern healthcare practices and treatments.”
Clinical reviews suggest that around 60% of patients currently receiving care in Cornwall’s community hospitals could be safely rehabilitated at home. The trust says this shift will help free up hospital beds for the most acutely ill and improve ambulance response times.
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In the past two years, the NHS says it has has invested heavily in urgent community care services, including:
- Same day emergency care facilities
- Extra GP appointments at Primary Care Hubs
- Mobile x-ray and falls response vehicles
- Community diagnostic centres offering blood tests, x-rays and CT scans
- Acute care at home supported by health professionals
- Reablement services to help people return home sooner
- Local community hubs offering joined-up health and care support
While no final decision has been made on bed numbers, the trust says it is consulting with staff, partners, and the public to ensure patient safety and service quality remain top priorities.
Falmouth residents are being encouraged to engage with the process and help shape the future of their local hospital.
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