Money-saving ward closures at two hospitals set to be reversed

Both the wards at Whitby and Malton hospitals in North Yorkshire will now re-open following the end of a pilot programme which instead saw sick patients supported at home by community nursing teams.

NHS managers in North Yorkshire wanted to implement the scheme as part of efforts to save cash from health budgets in the county which last year were again millions of pounds overspent.

A report by experts from the National Clinical Advisory Team called in to examine the venture found patients cared for at home were “highly complimentary” about the treatment they received.

But the initiative had not been supported by GPs or other key stakeholders who objected to the ward closures which they feared signalled the eventual shutdown of the hospitals and it warned the county’s primary care trust (PCT) had not “articulated a vision for the future of their community hospitals.

The reversal has been welcomed by Yorkshire MPs who had spoken out against the closure.

Conservative MP for Scarborough Robert Goodwill said: “I’m very pleased they have seen sense. While there maybe some patients who would want to opt for care at home and support from district nurses, the idea that it should be applied to everybody was a mistake.”

He said the effects of the bad weather in winter, when some district nurses could not get to visit some patients, underlined the need for the policy to be reversed.

Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, said: “This is great news for all who hold Malton Hospital dear and who raised £1.25m for the refurbishment of Ryedale ward.”

The review said clinicians should lead debate over the hospitals’ future but it warned: “Difficult decisions will inevitably need to be made about the nature and siting of healthcare services for Malton and Whitby. It is essential that the public is engaged honestly, openly and from the start in these discussions. Much can be achieved but plans will need to be realistic, sustainable and affordable.”

The report said the need to make savings had “completely overshadowed” the clinical model of care and added that “The temporary closure of the wards within the two community hospitals has encouraged a culture of mistrust, blame, lack of co-operation and the essence of what is being developed for patients has been lost.”

It said most people the review team met had been in favour of the home care pilot but the loss of beds had “clouded the views of many we spoke to”.

It said GPs did not support the changes because of the bed closures and “in their view, a lack of consideration” about how the community hospitals could enhance local health services.

The new service led to the closure of the Ryedale ward at Malton, which had 21 fewer beds, and the Abbey ward at Whitby, which had 20 fewer beds. Around 30 staff were transferred to work in community teams.

The report found all the patients interviewed were “highly complimentary” about the home service. It said the changes “are unquestionably right for patients in this rural part of North Yorkshire.”

The advisory team said the PCT had lost the support of a number of key stakeholders who feared the move threatened the long-term future of the hospitals.

The team said a strategic vision for the two hospitals needed to be developed.

Health chiefs will be asked at a meeting on Tuesday to develop a strategic vision for community services and the hospitals.