Knock-on effects of cuts would be severe, says MP

A petition has been launched by local politicians over proposed cuts to Frome Community Hospital services.

- Kirstie McCrum

Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset, and Cllr Adam Boyden, who represents Frome North on Somerset Council, have responded to an NHS consultation which they say "could see vital beds and capacity lost".

The NHS trust in charge of the community hospital confirmed it is in the "very early" stages of a consultation to reduce beds.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is looking at beds in Frome Community Hospital being reduced from 24 to 16.

The trust said it was looking at the “mix and balance” of its community services after an “increase” in people being cared for at home.

It has also cited an increased investment in at-home care packages for patients following an acute hospital admission.

Ms Sabine and Cllr Boyden, both Liberal Democrats, said that the cuts “would see pressure ramped up on local services by reducing inpatient care and shifting focus to outpatient treatment”.

Ms Sabine said: “The idea that the solution to hospital pressure is to cut beds is completely absurd.

“Taking away beds and staff from Frome Community Hospital won't reduce demand, it will simply push the burden onto already over-stretched workers and compromise patient care.”