Ward closure 'will not reduce beds for locals'

Prof Andy Hardy said the closure would not mean fewer beds for local patients

The closure of a Rugby medical ward will not reduce the number of beds available to local people, a hospital boss has said.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has confirmed that the Hoskyn Ward, at the Hospital of St Cross, will shut under new plans.

The trust said the closure was due to a "significant reduction" of transfers to the hospital due to a new scheme which avoided the need for Coventry patients to be transferred to the site.

The ward - which specialises in geriatric patients - will close on 4 December.

Addressing rumours about the future of the ward, which began to circulate around social media on Monday, the trust said its new "Improving Lives" pathway was driving the move.

The scheme aims to avoid the need for Coventry-based patients to transfer to Rugby while they wait for care in the community.

A review had shown that the trust no longer needed the current number of inpatient medical beds in Rugby, a spokesperson said.

The Hoskyn Ward, at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, will close in December

Prof Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “Our vision, in line with the government’s agenda, is to work closely with our partners to deliver care in people’s homes and communities, and we know that bringing care closer to home is vital to helping our patients be healthier and happier for as long as possible.

“It is important to emphasise this planned change does not mean less access to medical beds for Rugby and Warwickshire patients - we remain fully committed to offering more services and investing into the future of the Hospital of St Cross.”

Rugby MP John Slinger said he had been "reassured" by senior management at the hospital that despite the decision, there would be no change in access to services for Rugby residents.

"I completely understand why people are really concerned, and the staff as well," he said.

He added that he had been told by the trust that there would not be any job losses as a consequence of the closure, but the trust has not yet confirmed if this is the case.

A spokesperson for the trust said it had "ambitious plans" to redevelop the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby over the next 10 to 15 years to deliver a "high-quality clinical environment for patients and staff".

Rugby Borough Council is currently considering a planning application from the trust to build a new ward and theatre block during 2026.