The new facility is expected to open in April 2025

The first turf has been cut by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust’s chief executive, Steve Williamson, as a £9m project to build a new outpatient department at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance gets underway.

The ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of a 14-month construction programme that will see a modern, fit-for-purpose outpatient unit complete in March 2025 and open to patients in April 2025.

The investment reflects the key role West Cornwall Hospital plays in the provision of acute hospital care in Cornwall and the Royal Cornwall Hospitals’ commitment to delivering more care, close to home.

The building will provide modern and technically-advanced facilities in which staff will be able to provide face-to-face and virtual care in an accessible and patient-focused environment.

It will also be the first major project on one of the trust’s sites to have solar panels incorporated into the design to generate sustainable energy to support the unit.

Williamson said: “This ground-breaking ceremony marks the culmination of several years partnership working across the NHS, with our stakeholders and the local community, including the support of the West Cornwall Hospital League of Friends.

“The new building will give our teams an environment which will match the outstanding care they provide.”

Kate Shields, chief executive at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, added: “The new outpatient department at West Cornwall Hospital is a great example of our aim to provide more health and care services to all patients as close to their homes as possible.

“The investment underlines a vibrant future for the hospital and our commitment to developing the services we provide to meet the needs of our communities in the West of Cornwall.”

The building work is being carried out by Kier Construction, which also built The Mermaid Centre and the Tremenel Unit at Truro’s Royal Cornwall Hospital.