‘No plans to close’ Alnwick hospital

Oct 5 2007 by Peter Leathley, The Journal

HEALTH chiefs have given a firm pledge that they have no plans to close a rural Northumberland hospital despite the fact that half of its beds are empty.

Bosses at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust say a potential reduction in bed numbers at Alnwick Infirmary, and the possible merger of its two wards, are not a threat to the future of the community hospital.

The trust is considering action after figures showed that over the last 12 months, on average, only half of the infirmary’s 60 in-patient beds have been occupied.

Yesterday a local health campaigner said she believes part of the problem lies with the trust not sending enough patients to Alnwick from Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington for rehabilitation, or admitting them direct to the infirmary.

Coun Elisabeth Haddow – who chairs the Alnwick and District Health Forum – said she would oppose any reduction in bed numbers because of fears the move could lead to further erosion of services at the infirmary.

Last night the trust’s executive director for community hospitals, Steve Russell, said he was perplexed by local concerns that Alnwick Infirmary could close.

“We have absolutely no intention of shutting the hospital and have given the local health forum assurances about its future,” he added.

The trust is currently completing a review of Morpeth Cottage Hospital.