But while managers insist jobs are protected, they also accept roles “may look different in future”, raising fresh questions over how nurses and healthcare assistants will be expected to work as more care is moved out of hospital and into the community.
The reassurance was included in briefing papers shared with staff, and seen by the Packet as part of plans for a new community-based model of care for Falmouth and Penryn.
Under the long-term vision, the trust wants fewer people staying in hospital beds unnecessarily and more patients supported at home or through a wider network of neighbourhood services.
Proposals shared with staff in January – and seen by the Packet – form part of a wider NHS ten-year strategy to shift care away from traditional hospital beds towards community-based services.
The trust acknowledged staff concerns in documents seen by the Packet (Image: Supplied)
Staff have been told the ambition is to develop a system that keeps people independent for longer and avoids prolonged hospital stays, but the detail of how this will work is still being worked through.
Health leaders say some patients are still admitted when they could be treated elsewhere, while others remain in community hospitals despite being medically fit to leave, increasing the risk of dependency and physical decline.
Falmouth has been chosen as part of a wider review of community services across Cornwall, with managers citing the condition of the hospital estate, the area’s relatively younger population and what they describe as strong local infrastructure including the health centre, Trescobeas Surgery and the Integrated Neighbourhood Team.
The documents also argue that some people currently occupying inpatient beds do not need hospital-level care, but are waiting for social care or other support in the community.
(Image: Philip Pearce)
For nursing staff on the ward, however, the immediate issue is less the long-term vision than what it means for their own future. The Trust says no one will be downgraded and no redundancies are planned, but it acknowledges “significant anxiety”, especially among inpatient teams.
Managers say they will provide clear communication, involve staff in decision-making, offer HR and wellbeing support and maintain safe staffing during any transition.
Staff are also being told the ward space could eventually be repurposed for expanded day services, outpatient clinics, community group use or multi-agency assessment.
Trust leaders insist there will always be patients who need inpatient care and say Falmouth and Penryn residents will continue to be prioritised, while community capacity is built before major changes are made.
Separately, NHS Property Services is preparing for a major heating and estate upgrade at the hospital, due to begin at the end of May 2026 and expected to last up to 18 months.
Because parts of the building will be without water or heating during the works, inpatient services cannot safely continue. Boscawen ward closed temporarily, with no new admissions from April 20 while existing patients are discharged or transferred.
Other services, including outpatients, the minor injury unit and X-ray, will continue to operate as normal.
In a statement issued on April 8, the trust described the project as a “major investment” to ensure the hospital remains “safe, modern, and fit for the future” and underlined its “commitment to the hospital as a much-valued local asset”.
Managers say there are no plans for redundancies, although staff roles may change. Ward teams could move into community-based positions, working with GPs, community nurses and therapy teams to support patients at home.
The trust said it had already seen growth in its Hospital at Home and Acute Care at Home services and that the changes would support a more integrated model of care.
Internal communications acknowledge anxiety among inpatient staff, with assurances of clear communication, safe staffing during the transition and access to wellbeing support.
A spokesperson from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “While we recognise change can be unsettling for our colleagues, we are working closely with staff and unions to ensure everyone is supported throughout the upgrade and temporary closure of Boscawen Ward. All ward colleagues have been found suitable alternative employment.
“While the temporary closure is underway, we will continue to work with clinical staff and our partners in primary care, social care, and the VCSE to provide much more care at home and in the community. This will be done with the full engagement of the team and the wider community.”