Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT)

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The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) was founded in 1992 as part of the second wave of NHS Trusts to be established in England. We have three main hospital sites: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro; St Michael’s Hospital, Hayle; and West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance. RCHT also provides imaging and outpatient services at a number of locations across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as well as

birthing centres in St Austell, Helston and on the Isles of Scilly. We serve around 474,000 residents across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with the remainder of Cornwall’s population in the east and far north of the county looking to Plymouth and North Devon respectively, for their acute hospital services. As a yearround tourist destination, the number of people we care for is boosted by holidaymakers, which can more than double our population at the busiest times. Around 6,700 people work together across our hospitals and services, including 400 volunteers and an in-house bank of over 1500 people working flexibly to help us respond to changes in demand. The Trust has teaching hospitals status as part of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD) and University of Exeter Medical School. Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, the Trust is continually developing its clinical services and is committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation. The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site, the Cornwall base for medical students and the University of Plymouth Faculty of Health and Social Work, has further enhanced a strong reputation for training and education. This plays a vital part in attracting and retaining the Trust’s highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who care for well over half a million people each year.

Help us keep the emergency department for those who need it most.If your injury is not serious, visit a minor injury uni...
18/04/2026

Help us keep the emergency department for those who need it most.

If your injury is not serious, visit a minor injury unit or urgent treatment centre instead. These services are designed for non-life-threatening conditions and don’t require an appointment.

Before you go, check waiting times online by searching ‘NHS Cornwall waiting times’. Your choice makes a big difference - avoiding ED for minor injuries helps reduce delays and ensures critical patients get the care they need.

Your support makes a difference. When friends and family collect loved ones who are ready to go home, it helps us free u...
18/04/2026

Your support makes a difference. When friends and family collect loved ones who are ready to go home, it helps us free up beds for patients who need them next.

Thank you for helping us keep things moving.

17/04/2026

When you need help, A&E might seem like the obvious choice. But there are many quick and easy ways to get NHS help for non-emergencies.

For urgent medical help, you can access NHS 111 by calling, going online or by using the NHS App.

Get the right care, in the right place, at the right time – and help free-up emergency services for those who need them most this winter.

Even as we go into spring, COVID-19 can be very dangerous for people with a weakened immune system. Book to top up your ...
17/04/2026

Even as we go into spring, COVID-19 can be very dangerous for people with a weakened immune system. Book to top up your protection at www.nhs.uk/book-covid

High blood pressure can have no symptoms, and if left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of a fatal hear...
16/04/2026

High blood pressure can have no symptoms, and if left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of a fatal heart attack, stroke and dementia. However, once diagnosed, high blood pressure can be effectively managed with prescription drugs and lifestyle changes, giving people the chance for a longer, healthier life.

If you’re aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy. Search 'NHS pharmacies' to find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you, without needing to book.

Sometimes your nearest minor injury unit is not the quickest. Make sure you check the urgent care waiting times on our w...
16/04/2026

Sometimes your nearest minor injury unit is not the quickest. Make sure you check the urgent care waiting times on our website before you head out!

The NHS is here for you, and it’s more important than ever to use the right services to get you the help you need.
15/04/2026

The NHS is here for you, and it’s more important than ever to use the right services to get you the help you need.

Thank you for all the support and smiles you give to our staff and patients everyday!
15/04/2026

Thank you for all the support and smiles you give to our staff and patients everyday!

The Friends of RCH held their AGM with Chairman, Dr Angela Mallard reporting on another successful year both in terms of volunteering and grants awarded
We were delighted to welcome RCHT CEO Steve Williamson and Board Chair, David Allen and especially grateful that Steve took time out during his final week to show the hospital’s appreciation. While we are sorry to see him go, we wish him every success in his new role. We are delighted to have this photo reminder of him with our President Daphne Skinnard, Board Chairman, David Allen, Trustees, Volunteers & Guests.

You know yourself or your loved one best.If you’re worried or notice any signs of deterioration, tell the ward team.Alre...
15/04/2026

You know yourself or your loved one best.

If you’re worried or notice any signs of deterioration, tell the ward team.

Already spoken to them and still concerned?
📞 Call for Concern – your call goes to a specialist team trained in critical illness and deterioration. They’ll listen and arrange a review.

Sense. Share. Call.

Every hour matters. Avoidable delays in discharge - even just a few hours - add significant pressure to our hospitals. W...
14/04/2026

Every hour matters. Avoidable delays in discharge - even just a few hours - add significant pressure to our hospitals. When your relative is medically fit, bringing them home before lunch helps their wellbeing and allows us to care for others waiting for a bed.

Please make arrangements early in the day so we can keep care flowing for everyone who needs it.

14/04/2026

NHS Talking Therapies treatment gives you practical skills and techniques to overcome body dysmorphic disorder and other conditions.

Find out more, or refer yourself at nhs.uk/talk

Before you head to the emergency department, please consider whether another NHS service could help you more quickly.If ...
13/04/2026

Before you head to the emergency department, please consider whether another NHS service could help you more quickly.

If your need is urgent but not life‑threatening, there are faster ways to get the right care. NHS 111 is available 24/7 online or by phone and can advise you on the most suitable service, as well as arrange appointments when needed.

The urgent treatment centre at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance can support with issues such as cuts, sprains, minor burns and simple fractures. Minor injury units across Cornwall can treat sprains, minor breaks, wound care, minor head injuries and similar concerns.

You can also check live urgent care and MIU waiting times before you set off. It’s often worth looking so you can choose the quickest option for your situation: https://royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/waiting-times/urgent-care/

Community pharmacies are an excellent first stop for minor illnesses, rashes, infections, pain relief and general advice, and are often much quicker than attending hospital. If your GP surgery is closed, NHS 111 can also help you access out‑of‑hours GP appointments.

The emergency department should be used for serious or life‑threatening emergencies only, such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties. Call 999 immediately in these situations.

Choosing the right service means you’ll be seen sooner, and it helps keep the emergency department available for those who need it most.

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske
Truro
TR13LJ

Telephone

+441872250000

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The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is the principal provider of acute care services in the county of Cornwall. We serves a population of around 450,000 people, a figure often doubled by holidaymakers during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 5,000 staff and currently have a budget of approximately £400 million. The Trust is responsible for the provision of services at three sites (comprising approximately 750 beds): Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance St Michael's Hospital, Hayle. The Trust has teaching hospitals status as part of the University of Exeter Medical School. Keeping at the forefront medical advances, the Trust has led developments in many clinical areas, and is committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. The opening of the Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site has further enhanced a strong reputation for training, education, research and innovation. This plays a vital part in attracting and retaining the Trust's highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who provide care for well over 600,000 patient contacts each year. Reflecting the high standards of care on offer, recent patient surveys have shown that more than 90 percent of patients rated their overall experience of the services as excellent, very good or good.