COUNCILLORS have warned of complacency over the announcement the inpatient ward at Minehead Community Hospital is to re-open on the “NHS Trust merry-go-round”.

The 10-bed inpatient ward closed in December 2016 after Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust found it difficult to recruit nurses in West Somerset and the beds were consolidated into Williton Community Hospital.

The ward is set to re-open on July 11 after a recruitment drive has seen the return to safer staffing levels.

Andy Heron, Somerset Partnership’s chief operating officer, said: “I am delighted that we can now re-open the 10 hospital beds and bring our staff back to Minehead Community Hospital.

“Recruitment has taken longer than expected and it remains difficult to recruit nursing staff while a national shortage of nurses continues. But, thanks to Matron Norma Coombes and staff, who have made time to attend and host recruitment events, we now have enough nursing staff to safely re-open beds in Minehead Community Hospital.

“Deciding to close the hospital on a temporary basis was a difficult decision but it was one made in the best interests of patient safety.

“I am grateful to our staff at Minehead and Williton Community Hospitals who made the move seamless and to our patients and the local community for their patience.”

The temporary closure was for the inpatient ward only. The other services including day services, minor injuries unit and outpatient appointments continued as normal.

MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Liddell-Grainger, agreed that recruitment took longer than originally planned.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted – it has taken longer than we thought it would take but it is a good result.

“I believe those in charge have seen the enormous strength of feeling in the local area and have worked hard to get this facility open again.

“Now we need to ensure it is secured for the future. It is something we want long term and that is what I will fight for. I will be having discussions with Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and the Patient Support Groups.

“I want to see more consultants from Musgrove using the facilities and we want to see more people treated there. We will work to get what we want in Minehead - a first-class hospital.”

However, councillors say the battle isn’t over for the hospital, as uncertainty could quickly return to the ward, and that more services are needed.

Robin Nuttall, a Watchet councillor who was involved in NHS Day of Action protests in West Somerset, said: “Obviously, I am delighted by the news that Minehead is to re-open the 10 bed ward after six months of closure.

“The ongoing concerns remain, though, and centre around uncertainty as to how long this latest change will last, and which part of Peter has been robbed to pay Paul? Has Williton or another hospital lost out to Minehead on the NHS trust merry-go-round?

“From recollection, I have witnessed the shifting of care and bed and ward closures and staff between Williton and Minehead hospitals that has resulted in patients being relocated as far afield as Taunton and Yeovil, which has put a great deal of stress upon those patients and their families who struggle to make long journeys to visit their loved ones.

“I am not aware of any commitment to keep these beds open in Minehead or for how long they will remain until the next shuffle.

“I will try to welcome the news as positive for now but with an eye on the future. In the meantime, I firmly believe only a change of Government will see the necessary essential funding put back into our struggling services.”

Somerset County Councillor Mandy Chilcott said: “I attended Health Scrutiny at County Hall, and asked Dr Nick Broughton chief executive of the Somerset Partnership NHS Trust, when the Minehead Hospital beds would be re-opened.

“I’m delighted to have been told that it will be July 11.

“This is fantastic news - but the work is only just started.

“We need so much more from our local hospital; it was built and designed to be fully operational.

“More consultant visits, more services including dialysis, more minor operations - it could save money, deliver services locally, parking is free and it would help ease the pressure on Musgrove Park Hospital.”