A proposal to reduce the number of beds at Frome Community Hospital has sparked concern among local politicians and residents. Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset, along with Cllr Adam Boyden, have launched a petition in response to the ongoing NHS consultation that aims to cut the hospital’s bed capacity from 24 to 16.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, stated that the consultation is at an early stage. The trust cites an increase in home-based patient care and expanded investment in at-home care packages following acute hospital admissions as reasons for reevaluating the mix and balance of community services.
However, Sabine and Boyden warn that reducing inpatient beds would intensify pressure on local healthcare services by shifting care to outpatient settings. “Cutting beds as a solution to hospital pressure is utterly counterproductive,” said Sabine. “Removing beds and staff from Frome Community Hospital won’t lessen demand—it will only increase strain on already overstretched healthcare workers and endanger patient care.”
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During a recent visit to Bath Royal United Hospital (RUH), Sabine observed patients occupying beds while waiting for placement in community hospitals like Frome. She cautioned that cutting beds at Frome could have ripple effects, exacerbating challenges for acute hospitals, care homes, and community services throughout the area.
“This shortsighted cost-cutting approach threatens the whole healthcare system,” Sabine added. “Our hospitals need proper investment, not fewer beds. Slashing capacity doesn’t reduce patient needs—it just shifts the burden onto carers, charities, and families who are already at breaking point.”
Sabine also expressed frustration over the trust’s rationale for the changes, noting the RUH’s ongoing difficulties with patient discharge. “Closing beds here will only worsen that issue. While the trust promises enhanced services in other Somerset community hospitals, Frome seems to be at risk of being left behind,” she said.
Accessibility is another critical concern. For many in Frome and its surrounding villages—where public transport is limited—the local hospital is the most feasible option for essential healthcare without traveling to Bath or further afield. Sabine warned that these proposed cuts could mark the beginning of a slippery slope leading to more reductions or closures, which she deemed unacceptable.
Cllr Adam Boyden emphasized the hospital’s vital role for patients recovering from serious illness or injury, stressing the importance of receiving care close to home. “Our community must unite to challenge and resist these damaging cuts to our local NHS and to support the dedicated staff who provide exceptional care daily,” he said. “A strong community campaign is needed to make a real difference. Please join us and get involved.”
In response, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust explained that the ongoing consultation seeks to provide community care in the most suitable settings, reflecting increased care at home and significant investments supporting patients after acute hospital stays. The trust is reviewing the range and balance of services provided in patients' homes, community hospital settings, and inpatient beds, which has led to the proposed reduction of eight beds at Frome Community Hospital.
The trust also highlighted efforts to shift some services from the main acute hospitals to community hospitals when appropriate and feasible, aiming to enhance local care options.