Stroke survivors warn Yeovil closure will put more lives at risk

Campaigners outside Yeovil District Hospital on Friday, January 24
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A cold January morning did little to deter the crowd gathered outside Yeovil District Hospital, clutching banners and placards with a message to save the HASU.

The campaign to save Yeovil’s Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) has been raging for over a year, but for those who turned up to this vigil, it’s a fight far from over. With NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) pressing ahead with plans to shut the emergency stroke unit and relocate services to Taunton and Dorchester, campaigners, local MPs, and former patients are demanding answers—and action.

Ray Tostevin, chair of the Quicksilver Community Group, has been at the forefront of the campaign. “We've been fighting this for a very long time,” he said, addressing the gathered crowd on Friday, January 24.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Somerset caravan park with stunning views hailed as 'the best in England'

READ MORE: Vehicle found submerged in river as emergency services rush to scene

“It was brought to our attention by a local patient group nearly 20 months ago, and we felt that it was just wrong of NHS Somerset to even consider closing the stroke unit. There was public consultation—I’ll leave you to decide how valid that was. But last year, almost a year to the day, the ICB made their decision.”

That decision will see stroke patients from Yeovil and surrounding areas forced to travel further, often over an hour away, to access specialist care. According to Mr Tostevin, the financial aspect of the move is equally troubling.

“The ICB decided to spend £1.8 million on capital expenditure to help Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester build up its HASU. Their facilities are nowhere near as good as ours yet. Over time, if the ICB follows through, a reported £4.2 million a year will be spent out of county to finance long-term rehab for stroke patients. That’s money that should be staying in Somerset.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Campaigners argue that these changes will put lives at risk. “We all want better stroke care for Somerset,” Mr Tostevin continued, “but that isn't going to happen if they follow through with these plans.”

For those who have experienced stroke care at Yeovil Hospital firsthand, the closure is a terrifying prospect. Steven D’Arcy, a stroke survivor said: “I was here six years ago. I had a stroke myself, and the staff here were brilliant. Why get rid of them? My recovery is down to the support system I got. My wife and little girl were close by. My wife didn’t drive, so if I had been in Taunton, it would have been an issue. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t be stood here today if it wasn’t for Yeovil Hospital.”

Stroke survivor Steve D'Arcy, from Yeovil, and daughter Sophie
Stroke survivor Steve D'Arcy, from Yeovil, and daughter Sophie -Credit:Steve D'Arcy/Stroke Association

He fears for those who will suffer if the changes go ahead: “How many people have to suffer before they realise they've made a mistake? How many people have to go through the turmoil of a stroke before they say, ‘we got this wrong’? Their lives will never be the same. I don't think those making the decisions are listening, but we need to be here, united, to show our support.”

Kevin Sherrard echoed these concerns: “The stroke unit will have to move to a place an hour from where I live in Evercreech. I’ve had terrible problems getting an ambulance for my family before, and they just don’t respond in time. So moving the stroke unit to Taunton or Dorchester—where they don’t even have the new unit yet—will be really bad news. The stroke unit here is already functioning 24/7 with a consultant. Why change something that works?”

ADVERTISEMENT

Campaigners have received some political backing in their efforts. Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, was unequivocal in his condemnation of the closure.

He said: “The closure of Yeovil Hospital’s Hyper Acute Stroke Unit is deeply concerning and completely unacceptable. This decision will cost lives, worsen health inequalities, and leave the people of South Somerset without the care they deserve.

“I fully support the vigil today and stand with everyone fighting to save this vital service. I’m working closely with the Quicksilver group to challenge the decision, and I have submitted parliamentary questions to establish the precedent for overturning it. I’m also meeting with the ICB next month to demand they reconsider.”

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, raised critical concerns about increased travel times and the impact on stroke survival rates.

“For every minute a stroke is left untreated, nearly 2 million brain cells die. Fast ambulance response times are necessary for getting stroke patients lifesaving, disability-reducing treatments. I will not support changes that compromise patient safety or recovery."

ADVERTISEMENT

She urged NHS Somerset to guarantee that their plan would not result in worse outcomes for patients saying: “I welcome efforts to ensure more people receive timely, specialist stroke care. However, I need guarantees that these changes will not leave my constituents worse off.”

Local Labour Party chair, Paul Sellers, was also sceptical: “There’s the golden hour of care when a stroke first strikes, and it’s just too far away. I recognise the logic of having super stroke centres, but we haven’t got that in Dorchester or Taunton yet. So we’re being asked to move when there’s nothing to replace what we already have.”

Despite widespread opposition, NHS Somerset insists that the move is in the best interests of patients. Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Somerset, defended the decision. He said: “The decision we took last January was the right one for the people of Somerset, and we expect the new service to go live by early 2026.”

He acknowledged concerns about travel times but argued that centralising stroke services in Taunton and Dorchester would provide more consistent, high-quality care. “The importance of fast treatment at a HASU is undisputed, and our decision ensures patients receive expert care at any time of day or night.”

Dr Marden also pointed out that a trial to provide a seven-day consultant-led service in Yeovil had been abandoned due to staffing constraints. “It was proved to be unsustainable.”

Regarding appeals to overturn the decision, Dr Marden said: “The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care decided that all requests to ‘call in’ our January 2024 decision do not meet the threshold for ministerial intervention. The Government confirmed that NHS Somerset is best placed to determine the needs of our local population.”

Campaigners gathered outside Yeovil District Hospital believe the ICB is making a catastrophic mistake, prioritising financial efficiency over patient lives.

Mr Tostevin said: “It’s not enough to say that the longer journey will be ‘mitigated’ by better care. If your brain cells have died, every second counts.”

With nearly 12,000 people signing the petition to save the stroke unit, campaigners are calling on the public to continue raising their voices. The next NHS Somerset ICB board meeting is on January 30, where they hope to apply more pressure.

Mr D’Arcy added: “I don’t know if they’ll listen to us. But we need to be here, united. We need to keep fighting.”