Tresawls Road

This thoughtfully-designed 89-bed key worker development provides relief for hospital staff

When the Chief Executive of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) called for urgent support in addressing the pressing need for staff accommodation, Prime answered the challenge. RCHT faced a critical recruitment challenge, grappling with more than 600 vacancies and escalating agency costs. The severity of the situation led the Trust to classify it as an ‘extreme corporate risk,’ jeopardising its capacity to provide high-quality care.

Recognising the urgent need for action, the Trust identified staff accommodation as a transformative solution — boosting recruitment and retention by 10% while delivering benefits far beyond financial savings.

Despite the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’s acknowledgment of the connection between living conditions and employee wellbeing, infrastructure investment remain unsupported. Quality housing is crucial to attract trainees, apprentices, and newly qualified staff, yet the path forward is uncertain.

Prime has stepped in with its innovative off-balance sheet model, Hyve, offering a bespoke solution to deliver key worker accommodation. Located a short walk from the hospital, the project utilises a 0.8-acre site to minimise lengthy, stressful, and costly commutes for key workers.

Though residential planning permission had been granted previously, Prime reimagined the development with cutting-edge solutions that overcame practical challenges and
maximised value. The building features carefully designed acoustic systems to create a peaceful living environment and optimised WiFi infrastructure for seamless connectivity from day one.

Sustainable transport measures addressed limited parking availability, offering extensive bicycle storage, e-bike stands, EV/hybrid charging points, and a pioneering car club run by Enterprise — all aligned with Cornwall Council’s net-zero ambitions. Green roofs, Birch and Wild Cherry trees enhance biodiversity, while solar PV panels reduce operational carbon, reflecting Prime’s commitment to sustainability.

More than just housing, the Hyve model at Tresawls Road fosters an inclusive environment that embraces the diversity of the NHS workforce. Tenants benefit from a dedicated Hyve Manager, who ensures essential support, from addressing multilingual helpdesk queries to assisting with utility payments and council tax setup. Their role is vital in helping key workers establish lasting roots in Cornwall.

By offering affordable, high-quality accommodation, the development addresses staffing shortages, enhancing patient care in the process. It is the first step in supporting immediate housing needs and strengthen NHS services in Truro, further elevating Cornwall’s appeal as a desirable place to live and work. Prime’s solution combines cost efficiency, quality, and sustainability, delivering a powerful outcome that tackles recruitment and retention head-on — securing a brighter future for RCHT and its community.