Hythe hospital beds to remain closed

Health chiefs are still trying to solve the problems that led to the closure of in-patient beds at Hythe and Dibden War Memorial Hospital in May.

The controversial move, which sparked fears of a permanent closure, was blamed on staffing shortages and infection control issues.

Now a new review is looking into whether to carry out an expensive refurbishment at Hythe or move the beds elsewhere permanently.

But hospital bosses have been accused of breaking their word after saying the beds would reopen this month.

Hampshire Community Health Care (HCHC), which runs the hospital, had told the county council’s health overview and scrutiny committee that the beds would reopen by the end of August at the latest.

News of the delay emerged when officials met the Support Our Community Hospitals Group, which includes members of the hospital’s League of Friends.

Hythe county councillor Brian Dash accused NHS bosses of a breach of faith.

He said: “Three months ago I took this to the health scrutiny panel because of local concern and received an assurance that the beds would reopen at the end of July or the beginning of August.

“It upsets me when someone says they’re going to do something and then doesn’t. That’s no way to treat the public.”

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis added: “HCHC needs to make its intentions clear as soon as possible. Offering dates and deadlines that are not met creates a sense of disappointment and concern.”

The two politicians spoke out after Hythe and Dibden parish councillors questioned Moraig Forrest-Charde, HCHC’s clinical service manager, about the hospital’s future.

She said a feasibility study was being carried out into what could be done to make the prevention of infection “easier and more effective”.

But Cllr Dash said HCHC had already had months to solve the problems that led to the closure of the beds.

The hospital cares for people who are well enough to leave Southampton General Hospital but still need rehabilitation. It was closed because of nursing shortages and the potential contamination risk caused by a sluice room in the middle of the ward.

The Daily Echo understands that the age and design of the 90-year-old hospital is hindering attempts to meet modern hygiene standards.

The lay-out of the building means costly renovations would be needed to avoid waste material being carried through corridors close to patient areas.

Some wards fall below accepted privacy and dignity standards as other patients need to walk through to get to toilets and showers and most have too many beds to comply with building regulations.

However health chiefs say they are committed to keeping the hospital open and making sure services there are right for local people.

Mrs Forrest-Charde said Hythe patients were currently being treated at the Lymington New Forest Hospital.

Cllr Maureen Robinson told her: “Lymington is a wonderful new facility but there’s concern that it’s dragging away some of the things that people value here.

“I can’t stress how important Hythe Hospital is to the people of the Waterside.”

John Carr, chairman of the League of Friends, was among those who attended the meeting between NHS bosses and Support Our Community Hospitals.

He said: “The temporary closure is going to continue for a while.

“But the closure is still temporary and I have no doubt that the future of the site is secure.”