News

Residents are being invited to give their views on development opportunities for the county’s community hospitals.

Community Hospitals are really loved and valued by the communities they serve and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs them is asking for ideas and thoughts on how they can be developed and used even more.

We have seven community hospitals in Worcestershire (Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove, Wyre Forest Ward in Kidderminster, Worcester City Inpatient Unit and the sites in Tenbury, Malvern, Evesham and Pershore) and they are a really important part of our local NHS and will continue to be into the future

• They support patients who need more care than can be provided at home, but who aren’t too ill they need emergency care or surgery – this is provided from the larger acute hospitals
• They can support patients after a serious illness or following major surgery, helping get them back on their feet so they can continue to recover at home
• Four of our community hospitals are home to Minor Injury Units treating injuries which are not emergencies or life threatening
• Some of them provide outpatient clinics, for example physiotherapy where patients can get regular and ongoing support to help their rehabilitation.

How can they be developed and used even more?

Lots of people tell us they want to avoid hospital wherever possible, so to deliver a local health service that helps care for more people at home we are investing in our community nursing teams, known as Neighbourhood Teams. These are teams which provide care and treatment in a patient’s own home, reducing the need for them to be in hospital unless it is absolutely necessary. We are also looking at how we can improve and modernise outpatients services and clinics so appointments are more effective for patients.

This could change the way community hospitals have traditionally been used and while they will continue to do the majority of the things they currently provide, we want to work with local people to look at new or different opportunities for them to play an even bigger role in their local areas. For example we want to bring other organisations into the community hospitals so they could be home to a range of health clubs or activities which help more people get fit and stay healthy. They are a fantastic and much loved local resource and we want to work with local communities to get even more from them

We have organised some events to start the conversation. To book a place in advance please email b.banner@nhs.net or call 01905 681495

16th January 2pm until 4pm at St Peter’s Baptiste Church in Worcester (WR5 3TZ)

31st January 10am until 12noon at Simply Limitless, Kidderminster (DY11 5DF)