FOLLOWING the announcement that Truro Health Park has been earmarked for an upgrade to Neighbourhood Health Centre status by the Department of Health and Social Care, we asked readers what improvements they would like to see. The answers were clear - and possibly unsurprising.

Parking was number one on the agenda. Anyone who has ever visited the site knows it’s best to arrive at least half an hour early to allow for the inevitable circling of the car park in the hope of someone leaving just as you approach their space.

Those commenting on our Facebook post had various ideas about the causes of the problem, from the sheer number of health care services using the building leading to excess staff and patient parking requirements to cheeky non-patients parking there to walk into town (a common concern).

“Waiting for a parking space, even allowing up to 40 minutes before an appointment, puts your blood pressure up,” said Dale Bradley. Dawn King’s daughter “missed her appointment even after turning up 20 mins early due to no spaces - the surgery had zero sympathy”.

“I have nothing but praise for Three Spires, but [we need] more parking, wider access to the car park and to stop people parking on the double yellows by Infirmary Hill,” said Karen Coombs.

“Disabled parking is too far away from the surgeries,” added Sue Blamey. “The long walk down the corridor … is impossible for some elderly people.” Joannie Fordham agreed: “It’s no fun when you have severe walking or breathing difficulties, and there are only three disabled spaces anyway.”

Becky Anne O'Brien requested “a couple of parent and child spaces would be nice - it’s very difficult with how tight the parking can be to get my baby in and out of the car.”

How to tackle the problem? Eve Ling proposed building another level above the existing car park, while Karl Moon suggested an ambulance bay to avoid conflict with bus services and members of the public. Dave Wilkins called for ANPR cameras and giving one’s registration number to reception for free parking.

Next on the list was more readily available appointments with a GP of one’s choice. Rosalind Mary Rowe wanted to be able to “see your doctor instead of waiting two weeks”, while Joan Berriman Payne requested “extra phone lines and not being no 20 in the queue”. Several respondents resented having to share their ailments with receptionists for triage purposes.

Christine Moon would like to see “a return to no-questions-asked online appointment booking with appointments with one’s registered GP available within a week”, while Gilly Rose called for “a second reception for Three Spires up on the next floor to ease the load downstairs”. Several wanted to see evening, weekend and bank holiday surgery time, while Carol Swain suggested a minor injuries unit “so we don't have to get ourselves to Barncoose - not easy by public transport, especially out of hours”.

Lesley Goodman suggested making the doors to the consultation room automatic: “It’s a nightmare for prams, wheelchairs and people with walking aids.” Judith Whitehouse requested dental provision.

Truro Health Park has been named by the Department of Health and Social Care as one of 27 neighbourhood health centres to benefit from an upgrade, as part of a £50 million capital investment for 2026/27. Proposals currently include transforming underused and office areas of the building to increase clinical capacity and enhance the overall setting for patients and staff, as well as exploring options to improve parking on site.

Community Health Partnerships (CHP) manages Truro Health Park, and will work in collaboration with NHS Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly ICB and local NHS partners in delivering this project.

A CHP spokesperson said: “The planned reconfiguration at Truro Health Park, including an expansion of clinical rooms, will create capacity for more appointments and provide greater flexibility to shape services around the needs of the community.

“Car parking is an important consideration for patients attending the facility and a review of car parking forms a key part of the feasibility study being undertaken.”