- NHS hospital
West Cornwall Hospital
Assessment report published 14 July 2026
Ratings - Surgery
Our view of the service
The assessment was carried out from 10 to 11 March 2026. We carried out this assessment in line with our routine assessment priorities. We assessed 33 quality statements for the five key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
The service was last rated during an assessment in September 2018 and it was rated requires improvement. At this assessment we rated the service as good.
Day case surgery services at West Cornwall Hospital were provided by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (the trust). Patients were assessed against strict criteria to determine their suitability for treatment at this site, with those identified as higher risk receiving surgery at the main Royal Cornwall Hospital site.
The service had effective systems and processes to deliver safe, high-quality care. Staff treated people as individuals, ensuring their care, support, and treatment were tailored to their needs and preferences.
Patients received appropriate monitoring and support before the surgical team left. Observations followed trust policy, with clear escalation procedures for patients whose condition deteriorated post-operatively.
Medicines were managed and used safely.
Staff were skilled, understood their responsibilities regarding safeguarding and safety, and treated people with kindness, compassion, and dignity.
Communication, including with the main Royal Cornwall Hospital site, was generally effective. Leaders were developing a new system to improve the timely communication of theatre list changes to ward teams.
Leaders had a clear vision for the service, supported by systems that identified risks to both patients and the organisation. At the time of the assessment, the trust was implementing a new operating model for its clinical divisions, leading to a restructuring of senior management within surgery. Most staff described an open and supportive working environment, although some examples of cultural challenges were noted. Leaders demonstrated a clear understanding of the service, acknowledged these concerns and demonstrated proactive steps were being taken to address them.
People's experience of this service
People told us staff were kind, professional, and attentive to their needs. They felt involved in decisions about their care, were given clear information, and had opportunities to ask questions.
People were able to share feedback about their experiences of care and support. Complaints were regularly monitored in governance meetings.
We saw positive interactions in which staff were kind, caring, and ensured patients were comfortable.