St Austell Surgical Hub receives NHS England accreditation

In just over 19 months, a surgical hub in St Austell has carried out 4,460 procedures. Now it has been handed a stamp of approval that only a small fraction of England’s elective hubs have managed to secure.

St Austell Surgical Hub has been officially accredited by NHS England for the standard of its clinical care and the way it runs day to day. The hub is run as a partnership between Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and is one of 83 hubs in England to receive accreditation so far, out of 125 currently in operation.

What the accreditation actually means

The recognition comes through NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, run in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of England and supported by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

It assesses surgical hubs against national standards covering common procedures like cataract surgery and hip replacements, with the aim of faster access to treatment and better patient care.

The scheme has been running since March 2023. Trusts are not required to apply, but the long-term goal is for every elective hub in England to be accredited.

📷St Austell Surgical Hub team

Nearly 4,500 operations in under two years

Between October 2024 and May 2026, St Austell Surgical Hub delivered 4,460 procedures across specialties including gynaecology, ophthalmology and oral surgery.

Surgical hubs are central to national plans to expand elective care capacity. The NHS says they help reduce disruption and improve efficiency through dedicated operating theatres and beds.

What the trusts had to say

Anneka Southworth, Surgery Group Manager at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said the accreditation reflects what staff are already doing.

“It’s great to receive this accreditation, it reflects the high-quality care and passion our teams deliver every day. For our patients, this means shorter waits and the opportunity to have their treatment closer to home in a welcoming environment,” Anneka said.

“For our staff, being recognised nationally validates the hard work of the clinical and operational teams, strengthening pride, cohesion and retention. This Accreditation signals that the St Austell Surgical Hub is not only delivering high quality elective care today but is also equipped to expand our capacity, adopt new best practices and continue to reduce waiting times across Cornwall.”

Debbie Richards, Chief Executive at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, framed the accreditation as proof of the partnership model.

“We are delighted the St Austell Surgical Hub has achieved this accreditation, which is a clear sign of the high-quality care being delivered through this innovative partnership,” Debbie said.

“By working closely with colleagues at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, we are using our community hospital to bring expert surgical care closer to home in line with the 10-year Health Plan. It means patients can access the treatment they need more quickly and locally, while maintaining the best standards and outcomes.

“This is at the heart of neighbourhood health. This is NHS partnership working at its best, delivering real benefits for the people of Cornwall.”

📷St Austell Surgical Hub