Concerns over the future of two Manor Hospital wards

A Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said a public consultation had been launched into stroke services based on Ward 1 at Walsall Manor Hospital.

A hospital employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said staff had been told that both Ward 1 and Ward 14 – a complex discharge ward – would close later this year.

The worker said: “They have plans to close two wards, in total it is about 70 beds.

“This has not been consulted with anyone on the established staff teams.

“When the beds are empty on these wards they will be gone. It’s worrying.”

The future of Ward 1 is connected to the ongoing consultation into stroke services at the manor after it was revealed last month patients in Walsall may face having to travel to New Cross in Wolverhampton.

A previous report has described the manor’s stroke services as ‘unsustainable’ because there were only around 420 cases confirmed when there needs to be a minimum of 600.

The trust rebuffed claims staff had been kept in the dark saying it was widely communicated in July. The body added additional support in community services would mean patients who tended to occupy beds in Ward 14 could be discharged.

Chief operating officer Philip Thomas-Hands said: “We can confirm the future of stroke services based on Ward 1 at Walsall Healthcare is currently undergoing a public consultation, which is being led by Walsall CCG and its relevant partners.

“This was communicated to staff at on levels throughout July and they were made aware of the consultation.

“As a trust, we strive to deliver good patient care in the hospital.

“We also work closely with our partners in social care to ensure the good care continues in the community. This joined up approach enables patients to receive the right care, at the right time and in the right place, more quickly than in the past.

“As a trust, it has enabled us to look at the large number of delayed patients occupying our hospital beds on Ward 14 while waiting to return home, whether that be in their own home, nursing or residential homes.”

The trust was unable to state what might happen to the wards if they did close and whether they would be re-purposed.