News and reports

St Austell Healthcare is inviting patients from its branch surgeries at Park Medical Centre and Carlyon Road Health Hub to share their views on a proposal to relocate services to Carlyon House.

The practice has identified several significant challenges with continuing to deliver services from the current sites, which are no longer suitable for providing safe, effective, and modern healthcare.

Healthwatch Cornwall champions better standards of care in socially funded health and social care services.

Healthwatch Cornwall champions better standards of care in socially funded health and social care services.

Healthwatch Cornwall champions better standards of care in socially funded health and social care services.

From 1 October 2025, surgeries must allow patients to request appointments at any time during core hours (8am–6.30pm, Mon–Fri) by phone, in person or online. This was agreed between the government and British Medical Association (BMA) in April as part of negotiations for the GP contract 2025-26.

From October 2025, GP practices in England will follow a new Patient Access Charter. This sets out what you can expect when contacting your GP, and what your practice expects from you in return.

We have welcome the introduction of Jess's rule for GP patients to help improve patient safety.

Delays in diagnosis, preventable hospital admissions, and some patients incurring significant personal costs, sometimes thousands of pounds, are among the key findings of Healthwatch Cornwall’s new report on GP access.

The comprehensive, 44-page document highlights widespread problems, including the “8.00am scramble” to get an appointment, difficulties getting through on the phone, not being able to see a regular doctor, lack of clear surgery communication, digital barriers and accessibility.

Healthwatch Cornwall champions better standards of care in socially funded health and social care services.

Healthwatch Cornwall champions better standards of care in socially funded health and social care services.

Between May 2024 and April 2025 Healthwatch Cornwall carried out 28 Enter and View visits to primary care practices across the county.

Thanks to feedback from Margaret*, local health leaders are reviewing hospital discharge processes to better protect vulnerable patients returning home.