West Cornwall Hospital build hits milestone

General manager Paul Sylvester said the new building had been "a long time coming"

A major milestone has been reached in the construction of a new hospital facility in Cornwall.

The roof and external walls have been built for the new outpatient department at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.

The £9m project, which is designed to provide modern, accessible and technically advanced facilities, began in February.

Construction is planned to be completed in April 2025, with patients expected to be welcomed in May.

The previous building for outpatients had been the oldest part of the hospital, Mr Sylvester said

The hospital's general manager, Paul Sylvester, said the new building had been "a long time coming".

"I remember talking about this 10 years ago," he said.

"I never ever thought we'd get to the stage where I'd be walking around a new department, it's absolutely incredible."

He said the previous building for outpatients was the oldest part of the hospital and had a leaking roof, narrow corridors and poor acoustics.

Councillor Jim McKenna said the facilities secured the long-term future of the hospital

Shirley Harris, head of nursing at the hospital, said the new hospital had "state-of-the-art" facilities.

Patients would be able to visit the hospital for virtual clinics with consultants in Truro, meaning they would receive care closer to home, she said.

She added: "It will be the right environment to deliver the right care."

Cornwall councillor for Penzance Promenade Jim McKenna said the new department would make "a huge difference" to the area.

"It'll be a real shot in the arm for the hospital, " he said.

"It secures the long-term future of the hospital, but the key thing is more people living locally will be treated locally."