People power helps reopen community hospital's inpatient ward closed since October 2021
People power has helped save a community hospital's inpatient beds after campaigners supported efforts to recruit staff to reopen the ward.
Bishop's Castle Community Hospital's 16 inpatient beds were 'temporarily' closed in October 2021 due to staffing shortages and safety concerns.
But this morning, after a concerted and successful community-supported campaign to recruit staff for the unit, Shropshire Community Health Trust's Board (Shropcom), said the ward would be re-opening.
Confirming the move at the meeting in Ludlow, Shropcom Chief Executive, Patricia Davies praised the efforts of the community and trust staff in the recruitment drive, and said the success had provided lessons for recruitment elsewhere.
Ms Davies told the meeting – and campaigners who had attended to see the decision in person – a 'mobilisation plan' for the re-opening, which would set out the timescale, would be brought back to next month's trust board meeting.
Those present were told the unit would be reopening as soon as practically possible.
The meeting heard how the Bishop's Castle public, specifically the 'Save our Beds' campaign, had played a major part in telling prospective workers what it was like to live in the town.
