Bridgwater’s Member of Parliament, Sir Ashley Fox, has voiced serious concerns about the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s proposal to reduce hospital beds at Bridgwater Community Hospital. Highlighting the town’s rapid population growth, Sir Ashley warned that cutting beds could jeopardize patient care in one of Somerset’s fastest-growing areas.
In a letter addressed to Trust chief executive Peter Lewis on October 3, Sir Ashley described the proposed bed reductions as contrary to the community’s healthcare needs. He emphasized that Bridgwater requires both the maintenance of current bed numbers and an increase in community health support, stating, “This should not be a case of one over the other – the town needs both.”
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has justified the temporary bed reduction as part of a broader national plan to shift more health and reablement services into local communities, aligning with the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan. However, Sir Ashley remains vigilant, stating he will be closely monitoring the service changes during the six-month consultation period to ensure the bed capacity aligns with local demand.
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Additionally, Sir Ashley requested clarification on whether similar bed reduction plans are in place for Burnham-on-Sea Hospital, noting the Trust’s communications had not addressed this issue.
Concluding his letter, Sir Ashley urged the Trust to reconsider its proposals at the end of the consultation, advocating for increased hospital provision in Bridgwater to adequately serve the growing population.