By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Newark Hospital’s urgent treatment centre will remain closed overnight for another 12 months despite opposition from councillors who described it as ‘disappointing’.
Currently, the local NHS says it is not possible to safely staff the centre overnight and so there is “no alternative to the continuation of the temporary closure”.
The centre was first temporarily closed for overnight admissions in April 2020 due to pressures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The closure was then extended in 2021 and 2022, and it has now been extended again.
It comes as Newark hospital is benefiting from a £5.6m plan for a new operating theatre and two minor operation rooms. Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the site alongside King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospital, secured the cash for the project from NHS England in 2022.
The decision on the extension of the closure was discussed today (June 20) at the health scrutiny committee at Nottinghamshire County Council.
Lucy Dadge, Director of Integration at the local NHS Integrated Care Board, said during the meeting: “We initially requested an overnight closure between the hours of 10pm to 8am in April 2020 when it became apparent at the height of the pandemic that we couldn’t safely staff overnight with medical staff.
“That situation regrettably has not fully relieved itself yet.
“The work we are doing in the meantime is about our vision for Newark hospital so any conclusion to this extension should be taken in context of the future of the hospital.
“The future of the hospital we continue to see as the absolute jewel in the crown of our local health and care economy.
“We would’ve liked to resolve this by now but we are confident of within 12 months being able to engage in meaningful dialogue about the overall future of the hospital and the services we want to continue to grow.”
Cllr Callum Bailey (Con) said: “Last year there was a 12 months extension and we are now at the same point.
“I am conscious that we are noting an extension every 12 months and nothing changes.
“If it’s not able to happen we’d rather know now.
“I’m really disappointed that we’ve got these ongoing 12-month requests. I find it frustrating and I can imagine residents find it equally frustrating.”
Ms Dadge replied: “I absolutely agree and it has taken longer than we would’ve hoped.
“The urgent treatment centre will be a part of Newark Hospital to the local population going forward, I can say that categorically.
“The original request was very much a consequence of the Covid pandemic.
“If we knew what we know now, we would’ve asked for two years.
“But I am confident that we have the building blocks we need to formulate our proposals for growing services to meet the needs of the population in Newark.”
Cllr David Martin (Ind) said: “I am trying to determine whether this is to do with an ability to employ staff or if it’s financially driven.
“It’s having a detrimental impact on the population of Newark which is expanding with new homes.
“It’s a two-hour round trip from Newark to Kings Mill Hospital.
“I know there’s a national shortage of nurses but three years down the line surely we should be somewhere.”
Ms Dadge replied: “I can say categorically it’s not a financially driven situation.
“We do have a lot of data about urgent treatment centre care overnight and it is very low levels of demand.
“The A&E in King’s Mill serves the population of Newark 24 hours a day and will continue to do so.”
Cllr Mike Pringle (Lab) said: “It is such a disappointing report to read for obvious reasons.
“I would hate to come back in December this year for you to say that we’ve stumbled again.”
Chair of the committee Cllr Sue Saddington added: “As the member who represents Newark, I can say that the residents will be pleased when we can have a 24-hour service.
“We want it up and running correctly, not rushing to get it done for one reason or another.
“It’s unfortunate the year keeps coming and they haven’t got everything ready to go.
“If they aren’t ready yet we have to take what we are offered and hope that by next year it will be up and running.”
Ahead of the meeting, the ICB wrote to the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee to advise that the temporary closure is to be extended for a further 12 month period, to end June 2024.
Ms Dadge will revisit the committee during the Christmas period to provide an update on the situation.
