Hospital ward to close, according to MP

The Hoskyn Ward, at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, is set to close, according to an MP

A ward at a Rugby hospital is to shut, according to the area's MP.

Labour's John Slinger said he was advised that Hoskyn Ward at the Hospital of St Cross would close under new plans but he had been "reassured" that despite the decision, there would be no change in access to services for Rugby residents.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, which runs the site, has not confirmed a closure independently of Mr Slinger's comments.

The MP said he wrote to the trust after rumours began to circulate on social media on Monday about the ward's future.

He said he had been assured by a senior member of management at the trust that the move was part of a plan to get more patients from the Coventry area to be cared for from home.

"I completely understand why people are really concerned, and staff as well, about what they had seen on social media," he said.

"But what I've subsequently been informed by the trust is that this is a decision that means there will be no change in access to services for people from Rugby.

"The reason why they're looking to close the ward is that they've developed a new pathway for Coventry residents to get them home with the right care packages, which is actually a good thing for them."

Mr Slinger said he had also been assured that there would not be any job losses as a consequence of the closure.

"I'm reassured by the conversation I've had with the senior management of the hospital trust, but of course I'm waiting for their detailed statement as I'm sure others are," he added.