MP calls for Ilkeston hospital ward to remain open as part of Government improvement plans

Maggie Throup has called for the 16 bed Hopewell Ward to remain open at Ilkeston Community Hospital as part of the Government’s plan to improve NHS urgent and emergency services.

In a short statement, the MP for Erewash said: “The recovery plan announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will improve urgent and emergency services in Derbyshire”

The plans set out by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, will focus on five areas – increasing capacity in urgent and emergency care; growing the workforce; speeding up discharge; improving community services; and making it easier for people to access the right care.

Under the plans, one billion pounds of funding will be made available to boost capacity by providing 800 new ambulances and 5,000 new hospital beds across the country.  

Commenting on the plan Maggie said: “I am pleased that the Government’s plan sets out a road to recovery. I particularly welcome the pledge to improve community services, such as those at Ilkeston Community Hospital.” 

Maggie added: "I hope that the 16-bed Hopewell ward at Ilkeston Community Hospital, which is set to be decommissioned in the spring, will benefit from the plans and remain permanently open.”

“The current ad hoc approach that we have at the moment is inefficient and must be difficult to plan for. I urge the Secretary of State to work with the local community health trust and Integrated Care Board to ensure that the 16-bed Hopewell ward remains permanently open.”