Facility had been set to re-open after emergency repairs

THE long-term future of Wellington Community Hospital in Bulford is under a cloud following news that its temporary closure is to be extended.

Somerset Partnership NHS Trust announced late last week that the months-long closure for emergency repairs was to be extended due to a shortage of staff across Somerset. The trust is seeking to increase capacity in hospitals which look after stroke patients.

County councillor for Wellington Andrew Govier said: “This is very disappointing news and another major blow for the town. We were initially advised that the hospital was to be closed for emergency work to be completed but in the past few weeks there have been some worrying signs that this might be extended.

“I was recently at a meeting at County Hall where the idea of extending the closure was floated. Both Cllr John Thorne and myself raised major concerns about this at the meeting and made it clear that the hospital was extremely important to the town.

“I said at this month’s council meeting that it feels like the town is under attack. In the last few months we have lost our children’s centre and the closure of Popham and the Court has been announced.

“We also now know that it is planned to close Stratfield House and we are about to hear the fate of the town’s library. Wellington is a growing town and we need the facilities to support this growth. Unfortunately, funding cuts by national and local government are stripping out these valuable services.”

Diane Grabham, speaking on behalf of the Hospital League of Friends, said: “We are concerned and disappointed to hear about this. We have heard nothing official from the trust, which in itself is disappointing.

“We are waiting to hear officially from them. We will be discussing the situation at our next meeting on Tuesday, October 16. That is a day after the hospital was originally due to re-open.”

In a statement Somerset Partnership NHS says: “To support staffing additional stroke beds in Somerset, the Trust has decided to pause plans to reopen the beds at Wellington Community Hospital.

“The beds at Wellington were temporarily closed early in August to allow for essential repair works to take place. Outpatient clinics at Wellington hospital will continue as normal.”

Andy Heron, chief operating officer for community services, mental health and learning disabilities at Somerset Partnership, said: “Over the past few months it has become clear that there is a real and pressing clinical need for more stroke beds in the community to help support our acute hospitals and patients.

“Being able to provide specialist rehabilitation quickly to anyone who has suffered a stroke in Somerset is incredibly important and that is why we have decided to open five more community beds.

“This will not only help to speed up discharge for patients well enough to leave the acute hospitals particularly as we prepare for another busy winter, but also will help provide that extra bit of hospital care and rehabilitation those patients may need.

“In order for us to safely staff the additional beds, we have decided we need to temporarily keep Wellington Community Hospital closed and use our existing nursing staff across our specialist stroke sites.

“It is no secret that like many trusts across the country we have challenging staffing levels and this decision not only protects patient safety but supports our existing staff.

“We will be carrying out a review over the next few weeks to assess the staffing situation and to consider any further action that may be needed.

“We will look to engage with any communities affected by the temporary changes as part of the review.

“We will also look to gather views from the community on the continued staffing challenges we face and we will invite people to have their say.

“I would like to thank our staff, patients and the community for their continued support.”