LUDLOW MP, and former health minister Philip Dunne, has called for the safe resumption of services at Bishops Castle Community Hospital as soon as possible, following announcement of a temporary closure because of staffing problems.

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (Shropcom), which runs Bishops Castle’s hospital, has had longstanding issues attracting qualified nursing staff to run the hospital safely, so has relied on agency staff.

The pandemic has exacerbated the situation, and recently shifts have been run with between 75 per cent and 100 per cent of nurses on duty being agency staff, with concerns about patient care.

The Trust has decided to close the hospital to new admissions, and it’s remaining patients will have been transferred off site or discharged by the end of October.

“I have discussed this planned closure to new admissions with Shropcom’s new Chief Executive, who has assured me this a temporary measure, pending recruitment of new qualified nursing staff,” said Mr Dunne.

“While it is not clear how long this will take, I have been assured that the decision has been taken on patient safety grounds, and once sufficient staff have been recruited, the hospital will resume normal service.

“The hospital at Bishops Castle has been dependent on qualified agency nursing staff, in recent weeks, which is not sustainable.

“While new staff are being recruited, I am concerned to ensure that existing staff are deployed in the local community or at Ludlow Community Hospital, to give them the stability they need during the interim period. I know the excellent GP medical practice in Bishops Castle is working closely with the Community Trust and hospital staff to provide advice and support to local patients.”

Dr Adrian Penney, of Bishops Castle Medical Practice said it would work with the hospital. “The Practice has and will continue to support the Hospital, and recognises the loyalty and commitment of all the staff and is determined to retain them to work locally in the community they know,” said Dr Penny.