Time to use our 'ghost hospital beds' say Bishop's Castle campaigners
A campaign to reopen beds at a south Shropshire town's community hospital has picked up real momentum in the last few days.
Two meetings have been held in Bishop's Castle, a campaign group has been formed, a Facebook page has attracted more than 400 followers, and campaigners were going out at the weekend to raise awareness at events.
It follows a decision made earlier this year by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, which is thinking about withdrawing from the contract to run the 16 beds at the hospital. The beds closed in October 2021 and the trust says it has been unable to secure the right level and skill mix of substantive staff to deliver safe and high-quality care to patients.
Campaigners claim that the trust needs to be more imaginative in finding solutions.
Nic Watson, one of the members of the new Save Bishop's Castle Hospital Beds campaign group that was formed on Thursday, said: "It is sad to see the ghost corridors at the hospital. It is in such good condition, it is ready to go.
"A meeting was called by the town council on Monday, the group was formed on Thursday at a meeting held in a training room at the hospital in Union, Street and we are getting flyers, posters and petitions printed."
Impressively after Bishop's Castle Town Council got the ball rolling on Monday with a meeting attended by some 50 people, councillors have not been needed as the community has picked up the ball. A committee meeting was held on Thursday, with 13 residents joining forces. And within hours hundred of people signed up.
Mr Watson said: "I moved to Bishop's Castle to look after my dad who has Alzheimer's. The hospital is at the centre of a 500-square mile area including Powys and very much needed by the local population.
