The reduction in the number of beds in community hospitals in North Devon could harm the provision of care for older people, according to Unite.
Northern Devon has seen the number of available community beds fall from over 100 in 2013 to just 40 today. The closure of beds at Bideford and Ilfracombe hospitals means that Barnstaple is the only town in North Devon to have a community hospital with beds. Unite have said that funding has failed to match demand as Devon has some of the highest numbers of elderly people in the country, who often rely on community beds to recuperate after an illness of injury.
‘There needs to be more finance to ensure that the health and social care system in Devon works in a seamless fashion,’ said Unite’s regional officer Mark Richards. ‘These community beds are predominately occupied by elderly patients, who may be recovering from a fall, for example.’
Unite has launched a petition to urge the local council to reverse the closure of community beds, which has so far received over 10,000 signatures. This will be presented to the council on 24 Novemeber. Unite have also said that community acitivists will create a support programme for people affected by the community bed closures.
‘The lack of such beds raises serious concerns that care for patients sent back to their own homes will not be adequately resourced,’ added Mr Richards. ‘This would leave vulnerable, isolated people at serious risk of suffering health complications.’