THE Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, may face further reductions as the NHS seeks to treat more people at home, according to a health boss.
But in a report written but Lesley Jeavons, who oversees the provision of community health services at Durham County Council, councillors have been told that while financial pressure at the NHS must be recognised, closing a community hospital would have costs.
Richardson Hospital still has 13 years to run on its PFI agreement, which funded its construction in 2007, and the building would have to be paid for whatever happens. At the end of this period, the hospital would be owned by the NHS.
Ms Jeavons also warned about the potential impact of any community hospital closure on the availability of services and the transport concerns of local people.
The report, written for the council’s health scrutiny committee, provided an update on community hospitals in the county.
She said: “The direction of travel previously outlined is that of enhancing services to enable people to say at home. It is well documented that lengthy stays in hospital beds has a detrimental effect on people, particularly older people who are frail. The Integrated Care Partnership in County Durham is determined to enhance services that prevent the need for bed based services and provide care and support at home.”
She added: “It should be noted that as more services are delivered in a community setting, activity and demand may reduce further, so requiring consideration to be given to further reductions in the future.”
The Richardson went to 16 beds from 24 due to falling demand last year. The average length of stay for in-patients across community hospitals in County Durham has also dropped from 19.6 days in January 2016 to 11.1 days in July 2018.
Ms Jeavons added: “The CCGs (clinical care commission groups) currently purchase 73-plus immediate care beds across the independent sector at a cost of £1.5million.
“Based on existing bed numbers there is currently a significant cost differential between a community hospital bed and that which is provided by the independent sector in respect of intermediate care.”
However, she said “provision must not be predicated on cost alone”.
The report said the since reducing the number of beds, the remaining beds were being occupied effectively. In July this year, for example, Starling Ward was 89 per cent full.
