November 26, 2018 1.49 pm This story is over 79 months old

Decision made on Louth Hospital beds cuts

A compromise
Louth MP has asked questions about the recent closures | Photo: Daniel Jaines

Louth Hospital is set to have a permanent bed cut despite a slight increase on what was originally proposed.

Lincolnshire East CCG made a decision following a consultation on the future of Manby and Carlton wards at the site.

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

Now, an internal Lincolnshire Community Health Service (LCHS) letter suggests the number is set to rise back to 20 beds on the Carlton Ward, with six chairs and eight beds on Manby for a “Frailty Assessment Unit”.

The choice appears to be a compromise on LECCG’s second option – however with extra beds.

The letter shared by Fighting for Louth Hospital Group.

In the letter, seen by Local Democracy Reporters and published on local campaign group Fighting for Louth Hospital’s Facebook page on Saturday, a representative for LCHS say they were “pleased to hear of LECCG’s ongoing commitment to inpatient services at Louth Hospital”.

It says LCHS would be working closely with  the CCG to finalise “resource planning” for the revised model and thanks staff for their input and patience.

“The high standard of care you have continued to deliver throughout this period of uncertainty has been a credit to you,” it ends.

When asked about the letter, Susan Ombler, director of nursing, AHP and operations (interim) at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “I can confirm we have received notification from Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group (LECCG) regarding their decision on their preferred model of care for inpatient services at County Hospital, Louth.

“As the provider of these services, we are now working closely with LECCG to look at the detail.”

Manby ward previously offered care for patients with cardiac issues, while Carlton is for rehabilitation of patients transferred from larger hospitals but the second would have seen Carlton include four “flexible” beds allowing for overnight assessment.

Lincolnshire East CCG originally proposed two options on the future of Manby and Carlton wards at the site.

 

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