Stop the Cuts at Frome Hospital

The NHS are consulting on cuts to Frome Hospital. These include losing 8 beds and 9 staff.

I wanted to let you know that I’ve now written formally to the Chief Executive of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Lewis, to express my serious concerns about the planned reduction in beds and the potential loss of staff roles. In my letter, I raised several key points, including:

• The unique position of Frome on the border of Somerset and Wiltshire, and our dependence on the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath. Frome Community Hospital is one of the few facilities that truly serves our area, and we cannot afford to lose it.
• The lack of proper engagement with the RUH, despite the Trust’s claim that the beds in question aren’t being used by people from Frome. The RUH is under significant pressure and these beds could, and should, be used to help relieve that burden.
• Deep concerns about the way staff are being treated. They've been given a very short deadline to decide, and made to reapply for their own jobs via competitive interviews. This is unacceptable for a team that has built such a strong reputation for care.
• A broader fear that this could signal the beginning of a gradual erosion of community health services in our area.

Most importantly, I have called on the Trust to pause this entire plan immediately so it can be properly and transparently reviewed—with full consultation involving staff, local NHS partners, and our community.

If we are to be successful in protecting our local services, we need to show the Trust just how much support there is for Frome Community Hospital. 

Thank you so much for signing the petition against the proposed cuts to Frome Community Hospital. Your support means a great deal—not only to me, but to the dedicated staff and the many local people who rely on this vital community service.