Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the primary provider of acute and specialist healthcare services for the population of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, serving approximately 470,000 residents. Established in 1991, the Trust is a major employer in the region, with around 6,700 staff members.

Who We Are

As a teaching hospital partnership, RCHT collaborates with academic institutions including the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and the Peninsula Dental School. The Trust is committed to evidence-based practice and maintains an active research department with numerous clinical trials.

Our Hospitals

The Trust manages three main hospital sites, providing a combined capacity of approximately 780 inpatient beds:

• Royal Cornwall Hospital (Truro): The largest site, providing emergency and a wide range of specialist healthcare services.
• St Michael's Hospital (Hayle): Focused on a range of specialist services.
• West Cornwall Hospital (Penzance): Offers various healthcare services, including an Urgent Treatment Centre.

Approach & Values

The Trust operates under a strategy aimed at providing "outstanding care to one and all". This includes significant investment in new facilities, such as the flagship Women and Children's Hospital, part of the national New Hospitals Programme. The organisation is also focused on sustainability through provider collaboratives with the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) and other acute trusts across the Devon and Cornwall Peninsula to ensure integrated, local care.

Industry Role

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is the independent regulator responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and rating the Trust’s services to ensure they meet essential national standards for safety, quality, and patient experience.