Community hospital beds may not reopen

Beds were closed temporarily in October 2021

A temporary closure of inpatient beds at a Shropshire community hospital could become permanent, health bosses say.

Sixteen such beds at Bishop's Castle Community Hospital have been temporarily closed since October 2021.

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust said it had been unable to secure the "right level of staff" and concluded there was no "reasonable prospect" at present of it being able to safely reopen the beds.

But there would "continue to be important services" provided by its staff and other NHS workers from the hospital.

A public meeting arranged by councillors will take place on Monday.

The trust said its conclusion over the beds was the "right" one "on safety grounds".

Clair Hobbs, its director of nursing and workforce, said recruitment had been "a problem for several years".

Despite "considerable time and efforts, we have been unable to secure the right level of staff to deliver safe, high-quality care", she said.

Since beds were closed temporarily in 2021, most patients have been cared for at home or at Ludlow Community Hospital, the trust said.

The trust said engagement would now start with its staff and the public on the current position and the decision it must take as to whether to relinquish the contract with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) to provide the community hospital beds at the site.

Trust chief executive Patricia Davies added it would "then be for NHS STW to decide what to do next".

'Reacted angrily'

However, councillor Heather Kidd said residents and patients had "reacted angrily" to news.

“This is potentially devastating news for a rural community where access to alternative sources of health care is difficult," fellow councillor Ruth Houghton said.

“This proposed closure would cut much needed quality employment from the town and surrounding rural areas."

The public meeting will be held at 19:00 BST on Monday in the Community College school hall.

Simon Whitehouse, from the Integrated Care Board, trust CEO Ms Davies and Lynn Cawley, of Healthwatch Shropshire, have been invited, Ms Kidd, who helped arrange the meeting, said.

The trust said over the next week or so its website would contain more information on the engagement process and it was organising two public meetings at the end of June.