COUNCILLOR 'astounded and disapointed' as beds at Chard and District Community Hospital are still unavailable as others elsewhere in the county prepare to reopen. 

The inpatient units at community hospitals in Chard, Shepton Mallet, and Dene Barton in Cotford St Luke, Taunton, were closed in October 2017 due to staff shortages. 

The beds were relocated to other community hospitals, but now Somerset Partnership says it is ready to reopen some. 

It has been announced that the beds at Shepton Mallet Community Hospital will reopen on Monday, July 9. 

Andy Heron, chief operating officer at Somerset Partnership, said: “We are pleased to have reached a position where we are now able to reopen the inpatient unit at Shepton Mallet Community Hospital.

“We have been able to successfully recruit a number of nurses and also safely transfer some staff back to Shepton without significantly affecting neighbouring community hospitals."

The inpatient unit at Chard Hospital will remain closed for the time being due to an ongoing shortage of staff, but Somerset Partnership says it will continue to regularly review this position.

Mr Heron added: “While the overall staffing position has improved, it is not yet stable enough to safely re-open more than one inpatient ward.

“Our latest review of the situation shows it is currently safer, and more sustainable, to begin a phased re-opening of inpatient units, starting with the ward at Shepton Mallet and then working towards re-opening Chard as the staffing position improves.

“We are very grateful for the patience and efforts of local people and organisations in and around Shepton Mallet, Chard and Dene Barton who have shared their views and ideas on staffing at the hospitals.”

County councillor for Chard North, Amanda Broom, said she was "disappointed" that progress hadn't been fully made at the Chard site. 

She said: "I welcome the news that the staffing levels are improving gradually, and am pleased that some community beds will be reopening.

"It goes without saying that I am extremely disappointed that it will not be at Chard, and that this situation for staff and residents alike will be continuing to be in limbo for the foreseeable future.

"While I am heartened that Sompar are 'committed' to reopening the wards at Chard, I have asked to meet with Phil Brice next week to discuss the matter in more detail.

"I, like many others, still seek assurances that the commitment to reopen is backed up by an undertaking in required maintenance at the wards - we know the condition of the building needs work, this temporary closure has been an ideal time to have carried out repairs.

"As the second largest town in South Somerset, I am still astounded that Chard has not been seen as a priority for Sompar.

"Residents who are reliant on public transport are struggling, and in some cases, unable to make the distance to visit friends/family in the other hospitals, when they should be in Chard.

"These are matters that I feel should be taken into consideration when prioritising which hospitals are reopened.

"Hopefully, as the reviews continue we will hear some more promising news about the wards in Chard soon."

The staffing position at Dene Barton means it is not practical or safe to re-open this ward for the immediately foreseeable future.

Somerset Partnership says it will work with the hospital staff and League of Friends at Dene Barton to consider options for better use of the hospital while the ward remains temporarily closed.

“It was the right decision to make in the interests of protecting patient safety and supporting our staff given the challenging vacancy levels," Mr Heron said.

“It also meant that not only were we able to keep all beds open during a very challenging winter, we were able to open even more at times of highest demand, helping Musgrove Park, Yeovil Hospital and the hospitals on our county borders deal with one of the busiest winters in modern times.”

A spokesman for Somerset Partnership added: “The Trust will continue to support any patients or families affected by the temporary closures, and that support can be accessed by contacting the Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service on  01278 432 022 or emailing PALS@sompar.nhs.uk. Any patients already in hospital can approach the ward sister for information about support for their carers and families.”