10:08am Wednesday 2nd August 2006
By Matthew Colledge
HEALTH bosses are considering axing a third of inpatient beds at Chard Hospital to make way for other services, the News can reveal.
South Somerset Primary Care Trust says the downstairs ward, which has ten beds, could be turned into extra clinic space, diagnostic facilities or a designated area for blood transfusions.
Although no decision has been taken, the trust is considering what to do when refurbishment work on the two upstairs wards is completed later this month.
The refurbishment will mean the reopening of 22 inpatient beds upstairs but the ten beds downstairs would then be temporarily closed pending a decision on whether to retain them.
Virginia Pearson, chief executive of South Somerset PCT, said: "We are still in discussions over what would be best for that ward.
"We can either fully refurbish the ward for beds or for another use.
"We are not in a position yet to invest an awful lot of money on the beds if that is not going to be the long term future of the ward."
Mrs Pearson said a decision would be taken by the new Somerset Primary Care Trust when it becomes operational, with advice from GPs.
She said a similar move in Crewkerne, creating additional space for clinics, had proved popular with patients.
She said: "There are services that are available at other community hospitals in Somerset that are not available in Chard because of space.
"If you have flexible space you can put all sorts of other facilities in which will mean that lots more people will benefit.
"It will make sure that they do not have to travel to a district general hospital."
Chard Mayor John Malcolm said: "If there is very rarely an empty bed when the hospital is fully operational, what is the justification for getting rid of ten beds?
"I applaud what the trust is trying to do on the one hand.
"It would be far better for the needs of the people of Chard if more clinical services were delivered in Chard but I am concerned about the loss of beds."
Mrs Pearson acknowledged there may be public concern.
She said: "People are so worried about their community hospitals but they shouldn't be in South Somerset because we have done so much to protect them.
"It is not always about beds. It is also about community care."
In 2004 the News reported how the trust has long-term hopes for a new purpose-built community hospital in Chard.
Mrs Pearson said: "The work we have done will stand the hospital in good stead for the next three to five years but we need a new community hospital in the area, because parking is poor and space in the hospital is so precious."
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