RCHT provides acute care and specialist health services across three main hospitals: Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance and St Michaels's Hospital in Hayle.

A trust spokesperson said: ‘As we take steps to ensure we live within the funding available to us, we have introduced a temporary pause on new recruitment for the next three months. There will be exceptions, as safe care and continuing the progress we are making in reducing waiting times will always remain our priority.

‘Staffing accounts for around 60% of our expenditure and the recruitment pause is one of many financial recovery actions, as we explore all opportunities to deliver services more efficiently.'