Government rejects calls to save stroke unit

Yeovil MP Adam Dance described the decision to close the unit as "flawed" and vowed to challenge it

The government has decided not to intervene in the closure of a regional Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU), despite strong opposition from MPs and medical professionals.

Adam Dance, Lib Dem MP for Yeovil, said he was "deeply disappointed" after Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, confirmed that the Secretary of State would not intervene in the decision to close the unit.

Mr Dance argued that recent developments at Yeovil Hospital, including successful recruitment efforts, meant the reasons for closure no longer applied.

However, NHS Somerset defended the decision saying the programme would lead to "better emergency treatment and recovery for patients".

'Urgent review is now needed'

A spokesperson for NHS Somerset said: "It's a complex project and there is still a long way to go but we will work through issues with our local partners and community representatives as part of the implementation phase.

"A considerable amount of work has gone into this programme, including hugely valuable input from clinicians, staff, stroke survivors, and their loved ones".

The decision by Somerset's Integrated Care Board (ICB) to close the unit, first announced in January, had sparked significant concern from patient groups and medical professionals.

Under the current plans, the most urgent stroke patients would be transferred to nearby hospitals in Dorchester or Taunton, a move that had raised concerns about the impact on patient outcomes and response times.

Following the announcement, Mr Dance had vowed to challenge the decision and said he would continue to campaign against the closure.

'Devastating blow'

"This decision is not just flawed, it is outdated," Mr Dance explained. "In the four months the Department delayed its response, significant changes have occurred at Yeovil's HASU.

"The unit now operates a 24/7 service - a key concern raised by the ICB in its original justification for closure.

"This is not a party-political issue but a public health one.

"The HASU at Yeovil Hospital provides life-saving services, and its closure would be a devastating blow to our community."

In an open letter to NHS Somerset, Dr. Khalid Rashed, a stroke consultant, also voiced concerns and argued the unit has enough specialists to operate seven days a week, addressing previous staffing concerns.

Patient representatives from eight Somerset GP surgeries also called for the closure to be reconsidered, claiming that circumstances have changed since the initial decision.