A HAMPSHIRE hospital has had to shut a quarter of its beds amid a staff shortage and fears over infections spreading among elderly and seriously ill patients.

Bosses of the NHS trust that runs Fordingbridge Hospital in the New Forest revealed they brought in emergency measures in September.

It had been hoped to reopen the beds within Ford Ward this month.

But with the staffing crisis continuing, the beds will remain closed until there are enough medics to cover shifts.

Five out of the 20 beds on the ward are affected. Patients in the community hospital tend to be elderly and those requiring palliative care.

However, with winter approaching hospital managers fear an outbreak of infections such as vomiting bugs could place them in danger.

Laura Rothery, a deputy director from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, told a county council scrutiny committee yesterday: “We are absolutely dependent on recruiting staff to Fordingbridge Hospital. We have to rely on the process to produce the staff we need to run the unit safely.

“Our view at the moment is that we will be reopening the beds in January.”

She also said that the gap in staffing had been plugged by an agency but admitted this meant there was no consistent approach.

The trust is now working with New Forest District Council on housing options because that has been one its main issues in recruiting staff.

Mrs Rothery said the wards are also going to be reorganised and “clutter removed” following privacy complaints in particular about the beds being too close together.

Plans are under way to open extra beds at Lymington New Forest Hospital should Fordingbridge become full.

A push to reduce bed-blocking – where patients have nowhere suitable to go after being admitted to hospital – is also under way.