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NHS Trust Plans Hospital Rehab Ward Move Amid Concerns
19 Oct
Summary
- Routine rehabilitation services may move from Reading to Thatcham.
- The trust plans a reduction of three inpatient rehabilitation beds.
- Engagement will occur to understand patient and family impacts.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is proposing to relocate routine bed-based rehabilitation services from Reading's Prospect Park Hospital to West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham. The trust asserts that this move will enhance service standards, despite opposition from local residents' groups who fear it will complicate family visits.
The proposal involves transitioning most inpatient rehabilitation beds from Oakwood ward to Highclere ward, with a planned overall reduction of three beds across Berkshire. The trust highlighted that a significant portion of Reading patients already receive care at other sites.
Engagement with staff and patients is scheduled to address concerns, particularly regarding the impact on vulnerable individuals and the perception of Oakwood ward as a community resource. The trust has assured that no redundancies are expected, and efforts will be made to support affected staff.
