Protest Against Hospital Ward Closure in Rugby
More than 400 people protested in Rugby against the planned closure of a vital hospital ward. The Hoskyn Ward at the Hospital of St Cross, which serves elderly patients and provides 25 of the hospital’s 110 beds, is set to close on December 4.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust plans to redevelop the hospital, claiming it will improve conditions for staff and patients. However, many residents, especially the elderly, fear the impact of this closure. This ward has been pivotal in providing care, especially after the loss of the hospital’s A&E department over a decade ago.
Campaigners demand improved emergency services, noting that the current urgent treatment center is nurse-led. As a result, many patients must travel over 10 miles to Coventry’s University Hospital for care.
Protester Robin Lightfoot expressed concerns, stating, “We’ve got a lot of elderly residents; why close a ward that is so needed?” He highlighted personal connections, noting how family members have benefited from the ward’s services.
Former nurse Michelle Mitchell added, “It’s all about lack of staff.” She emphasized the need for better training in nursing, suggesting that university-level education is not essential for providing quality care.
The NHS Trust responded to concerns by saying there is decreased demand for patient transfers to St Cross and that access to inpatient beds will remain the same. Trust chief executive Prof. Andy Hardy reported recent investments in new facilities and outlined plans to build a new ward and theater block by 2026, pending local council approval.
