The work involves condition surveys of existing CPT properties in the West of Cornwall and the development of an estates strategy to improve both patient and staff facilities.

The surveys have now been completed and we are nearly ready to submit the strategic outline business case to the Department of Health.

Planning consent has been received and we are preparing to start work on the site in late spring with an aim to moving in before the end of 2013.

The community saw a dazzling display of handcrafted paper and withy lanterns float through the streets of Truro, made and carried by professional artists, Cornish school children and local community and youth groups.

There were over 10 giant lanterns in this year’s City of Lights procession on the theme of ‘Kings and Queens’, and over 750 children and young people created their own lanterns for the event.

The event also included the official switch on of Truro’s Christmas lights, plus music and dance from Truro School of Samba and other local bands, and attracted an impressive turnout of local people.

Community 1st sponsors the landmark event every year and sees it as a fantastic opportunity to bring the Truro community together and light up the streets of Truro during the festive season.

Patients will now have access to improved out-patient, x-ray and minor injuries unit (MIU) facilities as well as a new in-patient ward.  In addition, a number of community teams will be based there which will improve communications between community and hospital staff – the ultimate goal being to improve the quality of patient care.

The new building offers more spacious accommodation, with purpose-built side rooms to support the privacy and dignity of patients and their families in end of life care.

Great care and attention to detail has been undertaken by the hospital staff and the League of Friends to support patients suffering from dementia and cognitive impairments; including naming the new wards after local beaches and using colour schemes throughout the hospital.

The project was funded by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT and supported with money raised by the League of Friends of Stratton Hospital.

The project is part of an ongoing programme of estate improvements and minor capital works by Community 1st Cornwall to support the NHS in Cornwall and ensure their estate is fit for purpose to meet infection control, privacy and dignity requirements and operating efficiently.

http://www.trurocityoflights.com/

The tender is for project management and design services and preliminary work should start in October. The project is intended to bring benefits to both patients and service providers by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Trust’s infrastructure in the west of the county.