Cornwall Health Practitioner Awarded Churchill Fellowship to Study Rural Care Abroad

Sam Huczmann to travel the world in search of answers for rural healthcare in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

An advanced clinical practitioner working with the local NHS Trust has been awarded the prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate how access to healthcare can be improved in rural areas like Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

One of just 100 chosen out of 1,300 applicants

Sam Huczmann was selected from around 1,300 applicants, joining just over 100 individuals awarded the fellowship this year. The opportunity will see Sam embark on an 8-week international research trip in 2026, visiting healthcare systems in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

“This is a chance for overseas learning and professional development,” said Sam. “My experiences at the Trust have shaped both my approach and aspirations. I’m really grateful for the role that the Trust played in that journey.

“I would like to thank the Trust for the trust, guidance, and space they’ve given me to grow. It’s made a real difference to my development.”

Focus on innovation and rural health equality

Sam’s project focuses on exploring integrated rural health and social care models. It will include studies into co-located services, workforce development and retention, digital innovation, drone and air service technology, and shared governance frameworks.

“As part of the Fellowship, I’ll be exploring innovative models of care in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The aim is to bring back insights that can inform service development across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to applying what I learn. This will support our shared vision for improvement in health and care.”

“No one should be left behind”

Sam hopes to uncover working strategies from abroad that could help shape healthcare improvements here in the UK.

“I am passionate about ensuring that people in rural, coastal, and island communities receive the same quality of healthcare as those in urban areas,” he said.

“Through this Fellowship, I hope to bring back proven solutions that can be adapted for Cornwall and other rural regions across the UK.

“My ultimate goal is to help shape national health strategies. So that rural healthcare becomes more accessible, efficient, and empowering for both patients and clinicians.

“I believe that by supporting versatile, digitally connected teams and integrated care models, we can create a system that truly leaves no one behind.”

Tackling national healthcare challenges

The Fellowship aligns with the recent review of the NHS led by Lord Darzi, which identified three key shifts needed in the UK’s healthcare system: from analogue to digital, hospital to community, and treatment to prevention.

Sam’s upcoming journey will aim to find real-world solutions that match those national priorities and bring fresh thinking to health services in Cornwall and beyond.