Plans to cut in-patient beds at Hinckley’s community hospital on Ashby Road have been defended by health chiefs.
The move, which would see the loss of one of the two wards at the centre, is linked to service changes across the borough, the closure of the ageing Mount Road facility and a £7.7 million investment in modern facilities.
This would replace services lost from the Victorian cottage hospital which the NHS say is “not fit for purpose”.
At the same time increased access to urgent care is proposed with a primary care hub at the Hinckley Health Centre on Mount Road as well as X-ray provision.
Caroline Trevithick, chief nurse and quality lead for West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “I understand how people are concerned about the loss of community hospital beds and I know it is going to be a big change.