We have tried to use the hospital in different ways. For example, between January and September 2019, we tested a scheme to help people regain their independence and take part in activities. This was 1 of the options on the long-list considered by our community stakeholder group.

When Edward Hain Community Hospital was open it also had 1 bed for people with drug and alcohol addiction. The treatment allowed for detoxification in a safe place. People across Cornwall were able to use this bed as well as local residents. Now, the treatment is provided from Helston Community Hospital.

Podiatry (providing care to people with foot, ankle and lower leg conditions) and community mental health clinics have remained at the hospital. The podiatry clinics are held on 2 days each week. The mental health clinics occur 1 morning a month.

During the peak of COVID-19, face to face clinics were paused. Some people were able to receive their appointments by telephone. Face to face podiatry clinics started again in August.

Penwith

Edward Hain Community Hospital, St Ives is located in west Cornwall (Penwith). About 65,170 people live in Penwith.

There are 8 GP practices in Penwith. Together they make up a group of practices called the Penwith Primary Care Network (PCN).

What has happened in the Penwith area since the closure of the inpatient beds at Edward Hain Community Hospital?

We have already made improvements. People now receive care which is more co-ordinated and closer to home. We always try to improve our services. This work has helped us to decide how to improve health and care services across Cornwall, Penwith and in St Ives.

We have made a lot of changes to meet people’s needs. These include:

• 2 extra end of life beds at St Julia’s Hospice, Hayle
• providing more short-term, intensive reablement support to people at home and in the community closer to their home

Reablement services help people to regain their independence after an illness or injury. This will mean less people need to go into hospital. We have more staff available who work in the community.

We have also changed the way we use hospital beds. West Cornwall Hospital provides more rehabilitation (using therapy to improve people’s independence). The hospital and community staff work much more closely together to improve people’s recovery and shorten the time they spend in hospital.