Royal celebration of Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership
The Duke of Cornwall has officially opened the new Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership. His Royal Highness described the hospital wing, care home building, and integrated model of care as a "blueprint for how to do it."
Trust, NHS, adult social care, and Council of the Isles of Scilly colleagues gathered for the special event on Friday 22 May 2026.
Prince William was given a tour of the site. This included the new maternity suite, minor injury unit, inpatient ward, and care home. His Royal Highness chatted to staff, patients, and residents during the walkaround of the facility, which he described as "amazing."
Prince William emphasised the Duchy of Cornwall's commitment to the wellbeing of all those who call the islands home: "Our ambition is to create opportunities for communities to truly live well, now and for generations to come. We are on a journey. We are not suggesting we have everything right today but our direction is clear. To place social and environmental purpose at the heart of how we evolve and what we do."
The journey
The journey to the finished health and social care facility started with The Duke of Cornwall breaking the first ground in May 2024.
The big build began 3 months later, when 29 modular units were shipped to the islands and brought ashore by landing craft in less than a week. A 120 tonne crane, trucks, and trailers were used to move the modules to the build site. Again, in less than a week.
Next came the delivery of the concrete foundations, in the form of podiums and slabs pre-cast on the mainland. Due to sheer size and weight, they had to be shipped to the islands and moved to the build site in batches.
Once the foundations were laid and the modules were craned into place, it was all systems go on fitting out the facility. It now boasts state-of-the-art equipment and an award-winning design.
"It has been a very unusual project in every way, shape or form. I have been doing complex projects for the NHS in Cornwall for 18 years or so. This has definitely been the most complicated.
"When Prince William broke the first ground, he said I will come back and see how you are getting on. Here we are 2 years later, looking at a completed facility which is already starting to benefit the health and wellbeing of people on the islands. The whole build team are immensely proud of what has been a challenging but very fulfilling project. It is a project everyone will remember!"
Ken Jones, Build Lead, Community 1st Cornwall
Neighbourhood healthcare in practice
The project has always been more than a building. Led by our NHS and adult social care team of teams, we are providing an integrated model of care that is already helping to deliver more care on the doorstep.
During the visit, Prince William met Aiden from St Agnes. Thanks to the wraparound approach from primary care, hospital nurses, and the physiotherapist, Aiden has been able to return to the islands for rehabilitation following spinal surgery on the mainland.
"I have been involved with this project for over 12 years. While there were times we never thought we would reach the moment we are celebrating today, I am proud of all we have achieved. With the islands' support, we have overcome many obstacles to turn their local vision into a reality.
"Today was a landmark moment that reminds us of what is possible with everyone working together and with a clear focus on what matters to people. We know from listening to residents there is still more to do. By working together, we will continue to improve health and wellbeing for Scillonians."
Anita Cornelius, Director of Adult Community Services
Making the most of digital technology
A key focus is using digital technology to better connect the off-islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland. Technology which will further enhance assessments and prevent possible unnecessary transfers to the mainland for treatment or outpatient appointments.
Prince William was able to witness some of the new equipment first hand, hearing about the progress being made to provide it and upskill colleagues on the islands to be able to use it. We are:
- installing new diagnostic machines to allow clinicians to carry out a range of blood tests, there and then
- working with partners to extend the availability of imaging, with the aim of training staff on the islands to take x-rays
- fitting large screens and cameras to enable remote appointments with consultants on the mainland
Our new model of care and advances in digital technology are already delivering results. Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, the number of urgent and emergency fly-offs from the islands to the mainland fell by 28%.
"We were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall to mark this special occasion, even though I am very disappointed the weather prevented me from joining in person. However, it does underline the challenges we face in providing round the clock care on the islands. It is also a timely reminder of the importance of this new facility and our integrated model of care for island communities.
"We are delighted to showcase the digital innovations within the building, which will help more people receive care closer to home on the Isles of Scilly. This is a significant step forward in improving access, resilience, and the overall experience of care for our patients and staff."
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive
Prince William moved from the hospital wing to the new Islands View care home. There he met staff and residents like retired hospital nurses Dot and Jan, who are expected to move into their new accommodation over the coming months.
Russell Ashman, Chief Executive of Council of the Isles of Scilly thanked all those who have worked so hard to make the shared vision a reality. Russell explains what this project means to the islands:
"I cannot overstate how much of a difference this project will make to people across the islands. We are all so grateful to the Department of Health and Social Care for the Upgrades Programme funding that has made it all possible, as well as to the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for the energy that has been put into driving it forward.
"It was a pleasure to join colleagues in welcoming The Duke of Cornwall to the formal opening of the Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership. Particularly as His Royal Highness has such a close attachment to the community here. Prince William immediately grasped the benefits of our new integrated model of care for small, remote communities and recognised that we are leading the way for health and care services elsewhere. We all deeply appreciate his and the Duchy of Cornwall's support of the project.
"Now the building has been successfully completed, everyone can focus on maximising the many advantages of the new working environment, technology, connectivity, and integration. This will enable us to minimise disruption, distress, and cost for our residents and their families; make health and care services more efficient, resilient, and easier for staff to manage; and importantly, future-proof our essential services while caring for people really well, as close to home as possible."
All of the work on the Isles of Scilly aligns to the 10-year Health Plan and the 3 shifts recommended by Lord Darzi: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention.
Our Integrated Neighbourhood Team will continue this work, with the goal of caring for even more people at home or as close to home as possible.