Hopsital beds to be cut
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to cut up to 200 beds to help save up to £30 million.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to cut up to 200 beds to help save up to £30 million.
The Trust says the cuts are needed because of the national economic position which is seeing reductions in public sector spending for the foreseeable future.
The Trust say reducing beds is an important part of their plans to make the savings, alongside:
• better arrangements for discharging patients who are ready to leave
• reducing the number of people who fail to attend their outpatient appointments
• and making full efficient use of outpatient clinics and theatre sessions
The first phase of ward moves and bed closures will see the closure of 95 beds across one rehabilitation ward, Ward 2A, Acute Care Unit B and Neurology at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on April 1st.
The move has been slammed by Gloucestershire's Conservatives.
Conservative parliamentary spokesman for Gloucester Richard Graham told Heart he wanted an inquiry into the decision: