Wellington’s Community Hospital is one of 13 small Somerset hospitals at risk of closure as health officials look to rationalise smaller-site care across the county. Wellington has had problems this summer in terms of meeting minimum staff cover.
Staffing at the Community Hospital fell to critical levels recently, according to figures available for June and July this year. Red Flags, signifying that only one registered nurse was on duty per shift when requirements say there should be at least two, were issued on 63 occasions over the two months. Over the same period this is the highest total of Red Flags in the 13 Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s community hospitals. The second highest number was 26 red flags issued at Minehead.
The figures were presented at the Somerset County Council Scrutiny for Policies, Adults and Health Committee meeting on Wednesday 11 October in a report providing an update on staffing and sustainability issues at community hospitals across the county.
The hospital at Bulford has 11 beds and is the third smallest hospital in the Trust. Figures show staff vacancies of 42.3% in September and 19.9% in October. 40% of the Registered Nurse workforce at Wellington Community Hospital are over 55 and, as the report states, are ‘highly likely to have special class status and are therefore eligible to retire now’.
A spokesperson for the Trust said, “In terms of staffing at Wellington, historically, due to the close proximity of Musgrove Park Hospital and the small inpatient numbers, Wellington Hospital has only had one registered nurse on duty overnight. This position is changing to ensure that all wards meet the requirement of two registered nurses on duty at all times.”
Red Flag guidelines were issued in The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s ‘Safer Staffing: A Guide to Care Contact Time’ in November 2014.
Addressing the increasing pressure of staffing and sustainability in the Trust hospitals, the report states, “The review of information confirms that it is not sustainable to continue to safely deliver inpatient care across 13 wards. Reconfiguration of the bed stock would allow care to be delivered in fewer sites – and significantly reduce the likelihood of an unplanned closure during the winter period which would have a significant impact on the wider care system.”
It is easy to be pessimistic about the future of the hospital – indeed, it does appear at first sight as one of the weaker links in the chain of Community Hospitals in the County. However, Community provision, as well as excellent GP services are the twin essentials that give local support to our excellent District Hospital at Musgrove. Any attempt to diminish either of these services in Wellington must not be countenanced. A District Hospital is not, repeat not, a necessarily appropriate or adequate substitute for the services provided at Community level.
From personal experience as a representative on the Community Health Council in the early 2000’s and a Non-Executive Director on the Somerset Coast Partnership in later years, the Friends of the Hospital, the Town Council, and Deane should treat this as a warning sign – and at least give some thought to the effect closure or service restriction could have on a growing town.
It would be a sad day for Wellington if the Community Hospital had to close. Having had relatives cared for there I couldn’t have wished for a better hospital. The support from the Hospital League of Friends have been unstinting and it would be very difficult for many older residents to access a larger facility to visit every day which often is the case when having a spouse needing the care of this great local establishment.
I have also had relatives who have needed care from this valuable hospital and I can only say that the care was of a very high caring standard. This is a very worrying trend of recruitment issues across the NHS. Milverton is losing its GP practice, Musgrove Park Hospital is having to cancel none emergency operations due to staff shortages.
Wellington’s Community Hospital is one of 13 small Somerset hospitals at risk of closure. What does it take for the current ruling government say the NHS is in crisis and serious decisions need to be taken to ensure the NHS is properly funded to provide the basic care needed for the vulnerable members of our community.
As our town continues to be developed more people are moving into the area, surely it makes sense to have our community hospital supported by Wellington’s 2 very excellent GP’s surgeries. For Wellington people to visit relatives in MPH is a night mare poor bus provision exorbitant car parking charges. Having a community hospital allows people who live locally to return to Wellington to complete their recovery therefore freeing up bed spaces in MPH.
I am very concerned about the news that Wellington Community Hospital is on the list for possible closure. When my Mum was alive she came there for care after staying in MPH before she was discharged to go home. On a personal level, I was referred there for physiotherapy when needed, convenient and very handy. I am aware, the 11 beds are constantly used for the bridge from MPH to home for a great deal of patients which alleviates the journey to MPH (if you can get a bus to and from) or the journey and then the parking costs. With the projected increase in the Wellington population we MUST lobby to keep the hospital open.