People have reacted angrily to the news that a Powys border hospital that has been closed for more than 18 months amid a staff shortage crisis looks set to remain shut after the trust that run is said there is “no prospect” of it being able to safely re-open.
Local councillors say they are cross that Bishop’s Castle Hospital may close without a public consultation and have now arranged a public meeting at the Community College School Hall at 7pm on Monday (June 5).
Ruth Houghton, Shropshire councillor for the town, said: “This is potentially devastating news for rural community where access to alternative sources of health care is difficult and public transport is poor”.
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Shropshire Community Health Trust says it has concluded there is “no reasonable prospect, at present” of being able to safely re-open the 12 community hospital beds at Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital.
The hospital has been closed since October 2021 with most patients having been cared for at home or 19 miles away in Ludlow Community Hospital.
Shropshire Community Health Trust, the NHS organisation responsible for providing community health services in the county, said the latest update is disappointing news, “it is the right conclusion on safety grounds”.
Clair Hobbs, director of Nursing and Workforce for Shropshire Community Health Trust (ShropCom) said: “Recruitment has been a problem for several years, and despite considerable time and efforts, we have been unable to secure the right level of staff to deliver safe, high-quality care to patients.
“The trust has formally notified NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW), the organisation responsible for commissioning local health services of the current position.
“And will now commence a period of engagement with its staff and public on the current position, and the decision it must take as to whether or not to relinquish its contract with NHS STW to provide an inpatient service at Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital.”
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