Uncertainty over future of ward at Royal Bolton amid closure fears

One resident who uses the hospital said they had been told that B2 ward could close, following changes to another ward last year.

It has raised concerns that it would cause bed shortages and less space for people accessing the hospital, with the ward usually used for adult medicine and the elderly.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has not confirmed that B2 ward will permanently close, but said wards and bed numbers are regularly reviewed depending on demand and patient need.

The trust said it was also developing a new intermediate care unit at the hospital site for patients needing extra support before being discharged home.

Rae Wheatcroft, chief operating officer for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We regularly review and adjust our bed numbers across Bolton to respond to changing demand, making sure resources are in the right place and meeting the areas of greatest need.

“This includes developing a new intermediate care unit here on the hospital site, which will provide beds in an appropriate setting for patients requiring a little more support before they are discharged to the place they call home.

“We are also working hard to move more care out of hospital and into the community, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.”

A spokesperson for the trust later said wards can open and close “on a rotating basis depending on where need is”.