Ward re-opening heralds exciting times - NHS chief

Campaigners battled for the ward to be reopened at the hospital

Bosses at a Shropshire health trust say “exciting times” are ahead after the re-opening of in-patient services at Bishop’s Castle Hospital.

Following a nursing recruitment drive, the unit opened its doors earlier this month for the first time since it was closed by a staffing crisis in 2021.

Lessons had been learned form the re-opening and could be applied elsewhere as Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (ShropCom) sought to expand out-patient services for south Shropshire from the site, said chief executive Patricia Davies.

“The... approach taken will be transferred and adapted across our organisation, the local authority and the Integrated Care Board," she told a board meeting on Wednesday.

Re-opening the ward on 15 July was a "proud day" she said.

“I want to thank again everyone at the trust, the ward manager and wider community within Bishop’s Castle who worked tirelessly to make sure that the re-opening was as smooth as possible and in welcoming new staff so warmly.

“We are truly humbled and excited to welcome new staff to Bishop’s Castle and all our services across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Dudley.

" We know from those working in the community hospitals and across our community services that these staff are highly valued and integral to the quality care provided to our patients wherever they are from."

Efforts were now under way to attract more out-patient services to run from Bishop’s Castle, with new support groups and drop-in sessions having started earlier this summer.

ShropCom is working with the primary care network, Shropshire Council and others to deliver further healthcare services from the site.

“The work doesn’t stop here and we look forward to building on the work that we have done not just in terms of inpatient care but wider ambulatory care and health and wellbeing services to ensure that we as a health and care system see the Bishops Castle hospital site as a thriving resource,” Ms Davies added.

“This is clearly the beginning of a very exciting time for us in Bishops Castle and the wider community."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.