CHANGES are coming at Crewkerne Community Hospital – but health chiefs say no decisions have been made amid fears over bed losses.

Reports claim staff have been made aware of the possible loss of all beds at the hospital, as the NHS confirmed it is in talks over the future operation of the site.

Andy Heron, chief operating officer for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said talks had been focussed on expanding diagnostic and treatment options on offer at Crewkerne, as part of the government’s recently-unveiled 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to bring treatment and diagnostics closer to communities.

However, many fear the move could see more beds lost at facilities like Crewkerne and other rural hospitals, such as Frome and West Mendip Community Hospital, in Glastonbury.

MP Adam Dance (Lib Dem, Yeovil), whose constituency includes Crewkerne, called on NHS leaders in the county to guarantee the future of beds at the town’s hospital – but had so far not received it.

“I have made it clear that the beds at Crewkerne must be protected,” he said. “They are essential in preventing bed blocking, easing pressure on acute hospitals, and helping people recover safely in the right setting. Losing them now would be short sighted and deeply damaging.”

READ MORE: Shock as Yeovil Hospital maternity services closed amid safety concerns
READ MORE: Health news from your Somerset Leveller

Mr Dance said he welcomed more services being delivered locally, such as diagnostics or chemotherapy, but said these must come on top of, not instead of, the hospital’s current provision.

“That includes protecting community hospitals and making sure people are treated in the right place at the right time, not left stuck in hospital beds because there is nowhere else for them to go,” he said.

He added: “The NHS belongs to us all. Local people must be fully consulted and given a genuine say in the future of their hospital. Anything less would be unacceptable.

“I will continue to press for transparency, proper consultation, and the protection of our community hospitals. Crewkerne is a vital part of our health system and it must remain so.”

Last month, fellow MP Anna Sabine (Lib Dem, Frome & East Somerset) launched a petition against planned cuts to staff and beds at Frome Community Hospital.

She said she was “not happy” with the plans, which she said “could lead to further closures down the line”.

“This short-sighted approach of cutting costs at the expense of care is damaging the entire system,” she added.

“Our hospitals don’t need fewer beds, they need proper investment. Slashing capacity won’t make patients disappear, it just shifts the problem onto carers, charities and families already at breaking point.”

MP Anna Sabine has campaigned against cuts at Frome Community Hospital

And Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury & Somerton) has also called for clarity over changes at West Mendip Community Hospital, in Glastonbury, which is also set to see a cutin the number of beds.

“Despite reassurances that the closure of bed space will enable repurposing for other services, such as chemotherapy and cardiology, allowing patients to access treatment much closer to home, I have not received details of a timeline outlining when these new services will be available,” she said.

“The closure of beds before a determined plan of adequate social care provision is established could put further pressure on social care services in Somerset, which are already under considerable strain.”

In response to concerns in Crewkerne, COO Mr Heron did not directly address potential bed losses, instead vaunting discussions over expanding diagnostics and treatments on offer at sites like it.

“We have begun work with our Leagues of Friends, and with colleagues, to look at how we can expand the range of services provided from Crewkerne Community Hospital to provide a greater range of diagnostic services and treatments for local people,” he said.

“We want to have the same conversation with local people and representatives and will update soon on opportunities to get involved.

“We think there is an exciting opportunity to fill Crewkerne Community Hospital with a range of diagnostic services and treatments which benefit more local people and mean that fewer will need to travel to an acute hospital.

“This builds on the shift from acute to community that is set out in the NHS 10 Year Plan and aims to make best use of the hospital, which is in the heart of a community.

“As part of this we want to talk to local people about the best mix of services at the hospital which we think is potentially ideally placed to become one of the new neighbourhood health centres envisaged in the NHS 10 Year Plan.

“These conversations are at an early stage and there will be an opportunity for local people to get involved. No decisions have been made.”

And a spokesperson for NHS Somerset, which is responsible for planning, paying for and monitoring healthcare in the county, added: “This summer we are talking to local people across the county to get their views on how the NHS in Somerset puts into practice one of the three key shifts at the heart of the Government’s new 10-Year Health Plan – moving care from hospitals to communities.

“This could involve reshaping the way care is provided in local communities, with more care delivered in local neighbourhoods and in people’s homes.”