NHS Board Agrees Future Plans for Cornwall and Devon Health Services

Board members representing health and care services across Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Devon have agreed a series of plans that set out how services will develop over the coming years.

The decisions were made by the South West Peninsula Board on Thursday 26th March, bringing together partners from across the region to focus on improving care and support.

Five-year plans set the direction

The Board reviewed and agreed five-year commissioning plans for both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and Devon. These plans outline a shift towards more community-based care, with a focus on prevention and delivering services closer to home.

For Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the plan titled ‘Caring where it matters’ includes increased investment in neighbourhood health services. The aim is to support people at all stages of life, from giving children the best possible start to helping older people remain independent for longer.

The plan also highlights improvements to mental health services, reducing waiting times for urgent and emergency care, and expanding access to diagnostics locally. Greater use of digital tools and AI is expected to support these changes.

More information is available on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website.

Devon’s plan, known as One Plan for Devon, sets out how services will adapt to increasing demand, particularly as the population grows older and more people live with long-term conditions. Further details can be found on the One Devon website.

Focus on partnership working

John Govett, Chair of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, said:

“I am pleased to see the positive progress agreed at today’s meeting, reflecting the strength of our partnership working across the system.

“The decisions we’ve taken mark an important step forward in improving local health and care services, with a clear focus on delivering better, more joined-up support for our communities, wherever possible working with our community and voluntary sector and local authority partners.

“By continuing to work collaboratively, we are building a stronger, more sustainable system that is better able to meet the needs of the people we serve.”

New strategies approved

Several new strategies were also agreed during the meeting.

In Devon, a refreshed three-year dementia strategy was endorsed. Libby Ryan-Davies, chief strategic planning and commissioning officer, said:

“I welcome the Board’s endorsement of the refreshed Devon dementia strategy, which reflects the strong partnership working already underway across our system.

“We recognise that dementia can have a profound impact on people and their families, often bringing significant emotional and practical challenges.

“This is an important step forward as we move into delivery, with an early focus on improving post-diagnostic support and strengthening care for people in care homes, working closely with our VCSE partners.

“Together, we are committed to ensuring people affected by dementia in Devon receive the right support, at the right time, in a way that is joined up and meets the needs of our local people.”

For Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, a new carers strategy was approved in partnership with Cornwall Council. Susan Bracefield, chief clinical officer, said:

“We welcome the approval of the new all-age carers strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It is a positive step in recognising the vital contribution of unpaid carers and the challenges they face.

“The focus on a single, life-course approach and earlier support is particularly important, helping ensure carers are identified and supported before they reach crisis point.

“We look forward to working with partners to strengthen support for carers across the peninsula.”

Other key updates

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly also signed off a green delivery plan, which will be taken forward with Volunteer Cornwall.

The Board reviewed reports covering system performance, quality and finance, alongside updates from partner organisations and committees. Patient stories were also shared, focusing on local women’s health services.

In Devon, the Board agreed that cardiology services should be considered as part of a wider system approach, rather than being reviewed as a standalone specialty. This aligns with the broader direction of strengthening prevention and delivering more care in the community.

More information about Devon’s plans is available via the One Devon website.