Two community hospitals in Somerset are set to temporarily halve their inpatient bed capacity as part of NHS efforts to broaden local healthcare services. This move aligns with the government’s ten-year NHS plan, which emphasizes delivering more treatment at the community level to reduce pressure on acute hospitals.
In July 2025, the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) launched a “test and learn” trial at Bridgwater, Frome, and Glastonbury hospitals. This involved reducing inpatient beds to enhance service offerings and accelerate patient discharges. Encouraged by positive early results, NHS Somerset plans to extend the trial for up to a year and introduce similar changes at Burnham-on-Sea and Crewkerne hospitals.
Alison Rowswell, NHS Somerset’s director of localities and strategic commissioning, explained that the initiative focuses on preserving the community hospital’s local care role while modernizing service delivery. During the initial trial, Bridgwater reduced beds from 30 to 24, Frome from 24 to 16, and Glastonbury from 30 to 16. Patients who otherwise would have been moved between acute and community hospitals for long-term care were instead discharged directly to care homes, easing transitions and improving outcomes.
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This new approach has reduced discharge wait times and demand for home care without causing a rise in hospital readmissions. Surveys showed that all respondents felt more confident at home after care, and 96% achieved their rehabilitation goals.
The upcoming adjustments at Burnham-on-Sea and Crewkerne will see inpatient beds cut from 16 to 8 on a trial basis. The freed-up space will support expanded NHS services such as chemotherapy, diagnostics, and ambulatory care. NHS Somerset is also collaborating with Symphony Healthcare Services to improve service stability at Burnham-on-Sea’s minor injuries unit.
Kate Smith, associate director of strategic programming, noted that intermediate care services redesigned last year are under significant pressure. Extending and testing these changes aims to ensure they are resilient in all conditions before permanent decisions are made.
Local councillors expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed service redesigns that bring diagnostics and treatments closer to residents, particularly for elderly patients and those needing regular therapies like dialysis. Others voiced concerns about reduced bed availability and the impact on smaller communities like Glastonbury, which faces transport challenges and growing social issues, including homelessness and mental health pressures.
Construction is underway on a new £17.8 million diagnostic centre behind Bridgwater Community Hospital, expected to open this summer, enhancing local diagnostic capabilities.
The reforms at Burnham-on-Sea and Crewkerne will begin in April, and further updates on NHS services in Somerset are expected from the scrutiny committee later in the year.