NHS trust to ask for views on rehab beds move

An NHS trust has said a plan to move routine bed-based rehabilitation services from one hospital to another will improve standards, despite campaigners' concerns.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is set to engage with staff and patients on its proposal to move most provision from Oakwood ward, at Reading's Prospect Park Hospital, to West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham.

The trust said being based at the mental health hospital and facilities "can restrict the care and support available".

A residents' group said it worried the move from Reading could make it more difficult for families to visit relatives.

Currently 24 inpatient rehabilitation beds are provided on Oakwood ward.

But the trust plans to provide 15 permanent beds on its Highclere ward at the West Berkshire Community Hospital and another six at Wokingham Hospital "during periods of increased demand".

It said that would mean an overall reduction of three beds, but 105 rehabilitation beds would remain across Berkshire.

In a letter to the BBC, a group identifying itself as "concerned residents of Reading" said it worried about the impact on rehabilitation services for the town.

But the trust said more than 60% of its patients who live in Reading were already cared for at West Berkshire Community and Wokingham hospitals.

It said it would "launch a programme of engagement" in the coming weeks "to understand the potential impact of the proposed changes on our patients and their families".

No redundancies are expected and the trust said it would "work with affected staff to identify suitable alternative roles and opportunities within the trust".

But the group said the proposal had caused "enormous concern amongst patients, families, carers and staff".

They said the impact of the proposal on staff "cannot be overstated", with some "devastated".

"Those of us who know Oakwood Unit understand that it is far more than a ward," the said.

"It is a valued community resource that delivers personalised rehabilitation and support for some of the most vulnerable members of our society."