September 13, 2018 10.16 am This story is over 66 months old

Beds cut looks permanent for Louth Hospital ward

Your views sought.

Photo: ULHT

The closure of a number of beds at an inpatient ward at Louth Hospital looks set to be permanent.

Lincolnshire East CCG is carrying out a consultation on the future of Manby and Carlton wards at the site.

More than half of beds were cut on both wards from 50 to 16 after fire inspectors found problems with the fabric in the building.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, which runs care at the hospital, said the move was a “precautionary measure”.

Manby ward offers care for patients with cardiac issues, while Carlton is for rehabilitation of patients transferred from larger hospitals.

Now, commissioners have tabled two options for the hospital in a public consultation.

The options are as follows:

Option one

  • Continue with 16 beds on Carlton ward plus six chairs
  • The six chairs would be for day case therapy, which would include intra-venous therapies, such as fluids and antibiotics.
  • This would mean that Manby ward would not reopen to beds.
  • The CCG say this would mean space on the ward could be used differently, such as room for other health services such as the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Option two

  • Provide 20 beds on Carlton ward and six chairs on Manby ward.
  • The additional four beds on Carlton would be “flexible”, meaning they could be used for those who need assessment overnight.
  • The six chairs on Manby would be used for day care assessment and treatment.
  • A gym would also support the recovery of patients on the ward.
  • The CCG said the ward could also be used for the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

In the consultation, the CCG said that the measures outlined are “cost-effective” and are designed to last until a long term plan is found.

It said: “Our vision is to provide lasting security for Louth as a centre for innovative healthcare for local people.

“The current state of the hospital buildings means that the options we outline below for the wards are a cost-effective means of delivering services whilst we develop plans with local people for the long-term future of a Louth community hospital.”

You can read and respond to the consultation here.