Wirral Hospital Trust agrees to downgrade Clatterbridge Hospital

Jul 6 2011 by Liza Williams, Birkenhead News

CLATTERBRIDGE Hospital is set to be downgraded under plans revealed this week.

Wirral Hospital Trust has made the final decision about the site after a staff and public consultation.

The process has proved controversial, with nurses criticising the plans saying they will affect patient care.

But the trust has amended its plans to keep some areas of expertise at Clatterbridge.

The trust is investing £13m in the re-organisation between Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.

Views and comments from staff, patients, partners and the public helped to shape the decision of the board of directors of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to invest nearly £13m in improving services at both hospitals.

The trust has chosen option 2a in the consultation, leaving Clatterbridge a day case hospital.

But amendments include keeping dermatology there, having a unit for stroke and neuro-rehabilitation services, and keeping the breast clinic as a purpose- built unit.

Trust chief executive Len Richards said: “I should like to take this opportunity on behalf of the trust’s board of directors to thank our patients, public and partners for making this such an effective engagement process.”