Home / Health / Anger Over Plan to Move Frail Patients Out of Hospital
Anger Over Plan to Move Frail Patients Out of Hospital
11 Aug
Summary
- Plans to close 30 beds for frail older patients are causing staff anger.
- Care for frail patients may shift from hospital to community settings.
- Consultation on ward closure will run until the end of August.
Staff at Maidstone Hospital are voicing strong opposition to a proposal that would close 30 beds on Whatman Ward, which currently serves frail older patients. The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has initiated a consultation regarding the ward's closure, with the process scheduled to continue until the end of August.
Concerns have been raised by staff members who believe such a closure would directly compromise patient safety within West Kent. The trust asserts that the review of service delivery aims to ensure future operations remain safe, sustainable, and responsive to patient needs.
The NHS 10-Year Plan emphasizes a strategic shift towards home-based care and community settings. This proposal aligns with that directive, suggesting an increased focus on virtual wards for monitoring and treating patients, including those experiencing frailty, within their own homes.
