Reforms to Yeovil stroke services could be delayed by asbestos discovery

UNPOPULAR reforms to Yeovil Hospital's stroke services could be delayed after asbestos was discovered in one of the existing wards. The NHS Somerset integrated care board (ICB) voted in late-January to approve plans to remove Yeovil Hospital's hyper-acute stroke unit (HASU), meaning the most urgent stroke patients will be transported to either Dorchester or Taunton for treatment.

The decision has proved immensely unpopular with local residents, with newly-elected Yeovil MP Adam Dance asking for the decision to be called in and reviewed by health secretary Wes Streeting MP (a request to which the government has not yet responded). The ICB has now revealed that implementing the changes may take longer than expected due to the need to remove "concealed asbestos" in different parts of Yeovil Hospital, including one of the existing stroke wards.

Stroke services are categorised by the NHS into two camps - hyper-acute (where emergency treatment is required within the first 72 hours) and acute (where the stroke is less life-threatening). Under the agreed reforms, Yeovil will retain its acute stroke provision but all hyper-acute stroke patients will be transported to either Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton or Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, whichever is closer.

READ MORE: Somerset McDonald's reopens with 'fresh new look'

READ MORE: Huge traffic increase fears for Somerset village as homes approved

Implementing the changes is expected to cost around £4m out of the county's health revenue budget (i.e. day-to-day spending) - including £1.9m for additional staffing at pay at Musgrove Park Hospital and £1.8m for similar costs at Dorset County Hospital. Around £1.8m of capital funding will be provided to ensure Dorset County Hospital has sufficient capacity for the additional patients.

The ICB revealed the asbestos-driven delay when it met in Taunton on Thursday afternoon (November 28), with health bosses stressing there was no immediate risk to patients or staff. David McClay, NHS Somerset's chief officer for strategy, digital and integration, stated: "There is asbestos in many concealed parts of Yeovil Hospital.

"Asbestos in good condition does not present a risk to health when lift in situ. The stroke ward in Yeovil Hospital is one with concealed asbestos, including in its ceiling tiles.

"This will add to cost and time to refurbishment works." The asbestos was discovered during a recent survey of the hospital, which is officially classed as a high-rise building.

Under the Building Safety Act 2022 (which came into effect in April 2024), all non-residential high-rise buildings - including hospitals - must meet more rigorous safety statements to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower fire. Mr McClay added in his written report: "The intention was to aim to implement [the stroke changes] within 18 months of the decision which, if taken from the [final] approval at the March 2024 board meeting, would mean implementation by October 2025.

"This is still under review as the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset County Hospital continue to refine their implementation plans, and how the legislation and asbestos issues at Yeovil Hospital may impact the time-line." Ray Tostevin, chairman of the Quicksilver Community Group, urged the board to reconsider the changes in light of this new information and continuing public opposition.

He said: "It’s not too late for the ICB to be brave and reconsider. There is no need to waste NHS resources and disadvantage so many people who rely on Yeovil Hospital."

Mr McClay responded that Yeovil "can't meet the national standards" for a HASU - namely that any such unit should be staffed by at least six qualified consultants, should operate between 8am and 8pm seven days a week, and should see a minimum of 600 patients a year. A further update on the stroke services is expected to come before the board at its next meeting on January 30, 2025.