Despair over 'shocking' plans to close £5 million hospital unit after 1 year

PlymouthLive readers have taken to our comments section to discuss the plans to shut a £5m hospital unit which only opened last year. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) have already closed one ward in the Discharge Assessment Unit (DAU), at Mount Gould, and is reviewing another - with staff predicting its days are numbered.

The trust said the DAU, where patients were sent from Derriford Hospital before being allowed home, had been a success but is no longer needed. But staff say the unit is still vital and have branded the closure “a cost-cutting exercise”.

One person said: “This will increase pressure at Derriford going into winter, with ambulances queuing outside already.”

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UHP and Livewell Southwest jointly opened the DAU in June 2023 with much fanfare and MP Luke Pollard doing the honours. Two new wards were created - called Saltram and Lopes - so medically fit patients could be sent from Derriford Hospital to the facility to fully recover before returning home.

The unit was paid for with £5m from NHS England, and set up in partnership with NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, Plymouth City Council and community partners including Age UK and Herts Urgent Care (HUC - formally Devon Doctors). It was staffed by UHP and Livewell nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapeutic support workers who monitored and assessed patients before they were discharged.

One commenter, Crownhillken, expressed frustration with the NHS's financial management, stating, "This is typical NHS they are always wasting money in ALL departments."

While Argyle asks: "Why close a unit designed to reduce winter pressures at a time when winter is beginning. £5m spent 2yrs ago what a waste of money management, should be sacked."

JanePowell adds: "No wonder the NHS is in such a state. How can managers be allowed to make such atrocious decisions. 5 million for a unit only open a year. That is just the set up costs and not the day to day running costs."

Dis1954 questions: "We haven't yet got to the hospitals decision to re utilise this space and the additional NHS costs it will incur, the walls are in the wrong place, we need new very expensive flooring,additional toilets, more rest rooms for the staff, and it goes on, and we wonder why the NHS is always crying out for more money to waste."

Hutch65 believes: "Just another monumental screw up by the powers that be and money from the NHS budget flushed away. The people running the NHS couldn't run a bath and are not fit for purpose."

Lsam6 asks: "If the units are closing because there is no longer a problem with bed blocking why are very sick people still sitting in A&E for up to 24 hours waiting for beds."

Justiceforall says: "The primary issue is that patients are unable to return home with the appropriate care and assistance, resulting in bed blockage, which continues to be harmful to patient's health and well-being."

Pastydestroyer thinks: "I'm sure it has more to do with the fact the staff were underfunded beds/hospitals and undertrained. I witnessed quite a few accidents happening in the 3 weeks my dad was there back in Feb."

Over on our Facebook page - David Mould says: "Shocking decision! Not enough beds/hospitals for Devon and Cornwall as it is. This will just more more pressure on UHP and also knock on affect at Mount Gould rehab services. Feel sorry for anyone who needs rehab/re-ablement in these areas. Not to mention the amazing staff that have worked so hard to make this unit a fantastic service it is today.

So what do you think of the possible closure? Let us know HERE or in the comments below.