Cornwall to get £700k for GPs to help victims of abuse

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB is set to receive £722,318 as part of Steps to Safety, a new NHS service being rolled out by the Labour government.

Under the scheme, GP practice staff will be trained to spot the signs of abuse and respond.

A specialist support worker will work across local GP practices, and patients will be referred directly to specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services in Cornwall.

Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, welcomed the funding saying: “Violence and abuse wreck lives. It is essential that we properly support victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence.

"That's why I am pleased Cornwall will be one of the first regions to benefit from the Steps to Safety programme.

“It will help people feel safe to disclose their experiences of abuse to their GP, knowing they can be quickly connected to specialist help.

“This is part of the Government's wider Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, which is focused on preventing harmful attitudes from taking root in young men and boys, stopping perpetrators, and ensuring victims and survivors receive the support they deserve.”

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB is one of 12 areas chosen for the first phase of the scheme, backed by £34.4 million nationally over three years.

Locally, the funding will be:

• £194,586 in 2026/27
• £267,112 in 2027/28
• £260,620 by 2028/29

Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Every woman and girl deserves to live their life safely, securely and without fear. Yet tragically, for millions, the opposite is true.

"That is why we are investing up to £34.4 million across England over 3 years in Steps to Safety, connecting patients in Cornwall to specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services through confidential GP referrals.

"NHS services are often the first place someone feels able to ask for help. This government stands with women and girls, and when they seek help, the NHS in Cornwall must be ready to listen, protect and act.”

Around 3.8 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year to March 2025, according to the ONS.

The Government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency and aims to halve it within a decade, treating it as a public health issue.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse can call the free, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

In an emergency, always call 999.