Closure of the dementia ward 'unacceptable'

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a U-turn on the decision to close a dementia ward in a Gateshead hospital.

- AUSTEN SHAKESPEARE

Gateshead Health NHS Trust bosses confirmed in August that ward 23 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital will be closed.

The closure comes amid the trust needing to make £32.8m in cost-saving measures and a new nationwide 10-year NHS plan to see more community care and shorter hospital stays.

But the regional branch of 'Keep Our NHS Public' has said the closure of one of the hospital's wards for older people is "not acceptable".

It is calling on a reversal of the decision and for future public consultations on proposed health care changes.