The trust which runs Falmouth Hospital has this week denied rumours that the facility will be closing and relocating its services elsewhere.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has said it is temporarily closing and relocating the in-patient ward of the hospital for "noisy and dusty" refurbishment works, with all services set to return in January.

The trust was responding to questions from the Packet after several members of the public raised concerns that the hospital was to close, including rumours that it had been bought out by a legal firm and claims that staff had been put on long term leave with full pay.

Instead, a spokesperson said, the Boscawen ward will be closing between October and January, with patients and medical staff temporarily relocated to Redruth Hospital.

The beds will be relocated to Cove Ward at Longreach House in Redruth from October 20, to allow essential building work to be carried out, including the installation of a new fire alarm, nurse call system for patients and other safety improvements.

Wayne Gummery-Richards, matron at the hospital, said: “To ensure patient wellbeing, safety and quality of care while the works are undertaken we will temporarily relocate Boscawen Ward at Falmouth to Longreach House, Redruth - adjacent to Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital.

“The doctors and nurses who work on Boscawen Ward will move with the patients to ensure they continue to receive consistent care from staff they know and who know them.

“Over the next couple of weeks we will be talking in more detail to patients, who may be affected and their families so they understand exactly what the temporary arrangements will mean for them.”

The building work has been arranged by NHS Property Services, and the minor injury unit, physiotherapy, outpatient clinics, x-ray and the Albert Collins Day Hospital, will continue to operate as usual.