Successful community hospital ward relocation increases local rehabilitation bed capacity
A Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) community hospital ward has successfully moved to a new location - the first step in a wider plan to provide more rehabilitation beds for our local communities.
NHFT provides clinical care and rehabilitation services at community hospital facilities across Northamptonshire, most commonly for people from across the county who need 'step-down care' to help them get ready to return home after an acute hospital stay.
Beechwood ward was previously located at Isebrook Hospital in Wellingborough but on Tuesday 3 June moved to a new site just five miles away at Spinneyfields Care Centre in Rushden.
The move means NHFT has expanded its community hospital presence to a new location in the county. And with plans in place to open a further seven beds at Spinneyfields in addition to the 15 which have already transferred, it also means increased inpatient rehabilitation capacity closer to home for those who need it. The additional beds are planned to be opened later this year.
Beechwood ward was one of two community hospital sites provided at Isebrook Hospital. The other rehabilitation facility at the same site - Hazelwood ward - continues to operate as normal at Isebrook, maintaining NHFT's community hospital presence in Wellingborough.
The Beechwood relocation was months in the planning, with the third-party lease on its former site coming to an end. Spinneyfields chosen as the best environment for staff to continue to provide outstanding, compassionate care for patients following a detailed assessment of available options.
Anne Rackham, Chief Operating Officer at NHFT, said: "I'd like to congratulate all our wonderful colleagues at Beechwood ward - as well as those working behind the scenes - for their incredible efforts to ensure this relocation was planned and completed so smoothly.
"By bringing our community rehabilitation beds to a new location in Rushden and growing the number of places we can offer to patients, we are ensuring that more people can benefit from our high-quality community care, closer to where they live.
"Community hospitals provide vital support to help people get their independence and confidence back so they're ready to return home safely after an acute hospital stay, and we're delighted to be able to increase our capacity to do exactly that."
As part of planning for the relocation, NHFT completed a full engagement process with NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, the local authority scrutiny committee, and ward staff.
Information about the plans was shared with patients and their families and carers in the run-up to the relocation while the Spinneyfields site was made ready, and 11 patients were successfully transferred on Tuesday 3 June with no disruption to their care.
The Beechwood relocation means NHFT now operates community hospital facilities in Wellingborough, Northampton, Corby, Rushden, Daventry and Brackley.