THE ten inpatient beds at Wellington Community Hospital have been temporarily closed because of the coronavirus crisis.

They were closed as a move to consolidate beds onto fewer hospital sites, one of which is Williton, to help ease likely strains on staffing.

The hospital’s league of friends understands the ward closed on Tuesday, with all the patients well enough to go home, and the staff moved to Bridgwater and Williton.

A spokesman for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are temporarily consolidating the beds in our community hospitals onto fewer hospital sites which will enable us to open more beds with a smaller number of colleagues overall.

“This is important at a time when we anticipate increased illness among colleagues and difficulty in attracting temporary staff.

“We have already temporarily closed the eight inpatient beds at Shepton Mallet Community Hospital. We will also be temporarily closing the ten inpatient beds at Wellington Community Hospital.

“We will be temporarily increasing the beds at five other community hospitals including Burnham- on-Sea, Minehead, West Mendip, Williton and Wincanton.

“At the same time the NHS nationally has struck a deal with the independent sector to increase the number of beds, and that includes the treatment centre in Shepton Mallet.

“These changes are solely in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and are temporary. They are being made so that we can care for as many people as possible who may need our support during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

Annette Cardwell, chairman of the League of Friends of Wellington Hospital, said: “It is sad but we are fully supportive. These are very tough times for everyone. The NHS staff are doing a fantastic job, as are care workers and everyone else who is putting their lives at risk in order to help others. We salute them and offer our help in any way we can.”