Over 80 residents met at Frome Community Hospital on Saturday 21st March to show support for the facility, which is currently undergoing a trial to reduce its number of beds.
MP Anna Sabine led the gathering, urging the community to show their backing for the hospital during the six-month trial by NHS Somerset.
Speaking at the event, Anna said, “We are six months into a trial process of reducing the number of beds from hospital and Somerset NHS have only just started their public consultation, which I think is far too late.
“And I just really wanted to take the opportunity to let local people gather and show their support for the hospital and show Somerset NHS that we are watching, that we care very, very deeply about this important local facility and that we want to retain it in Frome and make sure it continues to support the local community.”
Petition
The gathering follows a petition launched by the MP last year alongside Frome councillor Adam Boyden, calling for a reversal of proposed changes at the hospital. At the time, Anna said the trial, reportedly prompted by patient flow issues from acute hospitals, could increase pressure on local services by reducing inpatient care and shifting focus to outpatient treatment.
The MP had also written to residents before the gathering last week, expressing concern about the trial and the lack of local involvement.
Real concern
She said, “NHS Somerset has been running their ‘test and learn’ for six months, temporarily reducing the number of beds at Frome Community Hospital. They have recently shared some early data with me, and while there are some modest improvements in waiting times, I have real concern whether the evidence is strong enough to justify these changes, and about how little our community has been involved in the process.
“A local liaison group is only just being set up, six months in. I believe local people deserve a genuine voice in decisions that affect their healthcare, not just to be told what is happening after the fact.”
Pictured: MP Anna Sabine (centre) with Frome Town Councillor Richard Pinnock and residents
