Project: West Cornwall Outpatients
This page was last updated: February 6th, 2023
A new Outpatient Department and refurbished Urgent Treatment Centre in Penzance.
The new outpatient department will provide consultation and examination rooms; treatment spaces and rehabilitation facilities. Office space and rest areas will be improved for staff.
Digital technology has enabled the provision of virtual outpatient clinics and facilities will be provided on site for those patients without access to digital technology at home. This will allow patients with an appointment at West Cornwall Hospital to also meet virtually, if required, with clinical staff based elsewhere and this will reduce the need to travel outside the locality for care.
Access to the Outpatient Department will be improved to modern standards, with wider and level wheelchair access through doors and into lifts. New signage will be dementia and impairment-friendly, and digital wayfinding and mapping tools are also being considered.
There are plans to redevelop some of the existing Outpatient Department for office accommodation and, if further funds become available, the Trust will also investigate opportunities to provide key worker accommodation and accommodation for families visiting from a long distance away.
Included in the overall scheme is the sale of the Bellair Community Clinic, which is a short walk from West Cornwall Hospital, and the relocation of the services provided at Bellair to the new West Cornwall Outpatient Department and support accommodation. This move will bring together acute, community and primary healthcare staff to deliver services from one location. This new integrated service delivery will enhance the patient experience; support a more connected way of working and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.
Disruption
The construction site will be secured, and made safe, by the Contractor throughout the construction phase; and steps will be taken to reduce noise and dust levels.
Blue badge accessible parking will be maintained and prioritised, as part of the construction phase health and safety plan. General parking may become challenging at times; however the hospital is located a short distance away from a large public car park.
We apologise in advance for the inconvenience the construction work will cause; however, we hope you agree that this exciting building project is essential to delivering better healthcare facilities for West Cornwall.
Ecology
Any trees for removal, because of the building works, will be replaced either on site or replanted via the NHS Forest scheme. The flat roof of the new building will allow for photovoltaic solar panels to be installed, and other energy or resource saving measures will be reviewed.
The building uses modern sustainable construction materials, and new methods of construction to reduce on-site waste and to create a highly insulated building. The design also uses natural ventilation wherever possible, with mechanical ventilation limited to areas where clinically necessary.
The sustainability plan has determined some of the sizes of windows in order to balance natural daylight, natural ventilation, and solar overheating in summer. The building is also offset from the current inpatient space to retain natural light for the existing wards.
