NHS Cornwall Asks Residents to Share Views in New Health and Care Survey

People across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being urged to share their views on the future of health and care, with the NHS calling for a wider range of voices to take part in its Caring Where It Matters survey.

Younger residents, people under 40 and men are particularly underrepresented so far, and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly say they want to hear from everyone about what actually matters when accessing care.

“We want to understand what really matters to you”

Acting Chief Executive Susan Bracefield said the NHS can only design services that truly meet local needs if people share their experiences.

“We want to understand what really matters to you,” Susan said.

“We can only design services that truly meet local needs if people tell us what matters most to them. Every idea, every experience and every comment helps us better understand how health and care is experienced by different people in different places across the county.”

She added that they are particularly keen to hear from older people, families and carers about support that could prevent avoidable hospital admissions, especially now that many hospital-level services can be delivered safely at home or closer to where people live.

“Whether you’re a young parent, a student, someone balancing work and life pressures, or simply someone who wants things to be easier when you need to use health services, your voice will directly influence the decisions we make for the years ahead,” she said. “Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and encourage others in your family, workplace or community to do the same.”

How to take part

Residents can get involved in several ways:

• Complete the online survey, hosted on Let’s Talk Cornwall. Survey link

• Download the Easy Read version and return it to FREEPOST NHS CORNWALL AND ISLES OF SCILLY. Easy Read version

• Look out for pop-up engagement events where NHS teams will be available in local venues.

• Invite the NHS team to a local group or meeting by emailing ciosicb.engagement@nhs.net.

• Follow NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly on Facebook for updates and event details.

What is already changing

The campaign also showcases services already being improved across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. These include neighbourhood teams working together to prevent illness earlier, improved digital tools replacing older analogue systems and more hospital services being delivered in the community.

One example is the mobile X-ray service, which is helping around 80 percent of patients avoid being admitted to hospital.

More details can be found on the Caring Where It Matters page on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website.

Why your feedback matters

The information gathered through the survey and through local engagement will help shape the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly five-year health and care plan. This will align with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.

Feedback from residents will help shape services around what people value, whether that’s easier access to appointments, better use of technology or more care delivered closer to home. It could also help identify where extra support at home or in the community could reduce the need for hospital care unless it is absolutely necessary.

Every response will help inform decisions and priorities for the years ahead.

The survey closes on Monday 15th December 2025.