Hospital ward reopens after recruitment drive

Ward manager Amanda Houghton said the team could not wait "to welcome back patients"

A celebration has been held to mark the reopening of Bishop's Castle Community Hospital's inpatient service.

The Shropshire hospital lost the 16-bed facility in 2021, because a lack of staff made it unsafe to continue running.

A campaign by local residents to reopen the unit was rewarded when Shropshire Community Health Trust announced in September 2023 it would begin another recruitment drive.

The trust said it now had enough staff to safely reopen from Monday.

Bishop's Castle Community Hospital lost its inpatient service in October 2021

Andy Stelman from the campaign group said it was a day of celebration.

"We do feel that we - by we, I mean the whole town - has really come together to show our spirit and our defiance in the face of a decision we never thought was a good decision and we've pulled together," he said.

"What more can you ask of any community?"

The trust said both new and past members of staff had been undergoing a period of training.

Health care assistant Charlene Chihoro who now works on the ward said it was "a dream" to work for the NHS.

"I saw a campaign for Bishop's Castle, I was just going through NHS pages, because all I wanted, my goal, was to... work for the NHS - it's a dream."

Clair Hobbs, Director of Nursing and Clinical Delivery said it had gone "really well" and all staff were "looking forward to delivering the best quality of care to the local community".

Amanda Houghton, Ward Manager at Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital, added: "I have been blown away by their dedication and enthusiasm.  

"We have a very special team here at Bishop’s Castle and we all can’t wait to welcome back patients to the service."