Among the schemes being considered are proposals by three surgeries in Penzance to create a one-stop shop for patients to see a community nurse.

The plan, which will cost about £4m, could be paid for out of a total of £13m available from a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) over the next 20 years.

Health managers in Cornwall have already identified about 10 suitable schemes across the county.

Cornwall was chosen to pilot the PFI scheme because it needs to improve facilities in many GPs' surgeries.