Plymouth wards opening in 2023 ‘closed and under review’

A Plymouth hospital ward Opened in June 2023 The NHS confirmed it was closed and another was under review.

The wards, which have been opened at Mount Gould Hospital with £5 million from NHS England, are part of the discharge assessment unit for patients at Derriford Hospital.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said the 40-bed unit was a “huge success” but more patients were going straight home from Derriford.

That’s what patients want, “with the right support”, the trust said.

A trust spokesman said: “We are proud of the service provided by our fantastic staff.

“But we are working with our partners and are confident there is sufficient capacity for patients to be able to go directly to their homes and/or receive care at the right location.”

The number of patients going straight home from Derriford with a care package increased from 23% in January 2023 to 47% in January 2024, the hospital said.

“As a result, we have already de-escalated one ward as capacity in the community has improved and we are now reviewing the needs of the second ward,” the spokesman said.

The move was being discussed with staff.

“Our aim is for 75% of our patients to go home first with the right support, which is what patients tell us they want,” the trust said.