'Victory' for Chatsworth Ward

The decision was made by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who operate the ward and NHS Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to keep the neuro-rehabilitation ward open.The ward which was set to close in November will now carry on helping people who have suffered injuries to their nervous system to recover.The trust and CCG have said they keen to now add a community outreach team to the ward.In September hundreds of people marched to save the ward on Stockwell Gate.Jon Dale, Unite Union Nottinghamshire Health Service branch secretary said: “This is a fantastic victory for all those who came to meetings, marched and signed petitions supporting Chatsworth Ward. “It shows that when we fight back, we can defeat cuts and the threat of privatisation. Our fight will continue to stop these threats throughout Nottinghamshire and this victory will inspire others to fight back to save our NHS.”NHS Mansfield and Ashfield CCG and Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust issued a joint statement, which said: “Following feedback from local people, staff, patients and carers, the commissioners have made the decision to keep an inpatient service for neuro-rehabilitation patients at the Chatsworth Unit based at Mansfield Community Hospital. We would like to thank all those who have taken the time to share their views.“We are pleased that the proposal for an integrated hospital and community service has received general support from staff and the Health Scrutiny Committee. The CCG and the Trust will continue to work proactively with patients and staff at the Chatsworth Unit to design this new service, ensuring we provide effective neuro-rehabilitation for people at the right time in the right place. A business case for this new service will be developed over the coming weeks with the new arrangements expected to be in place in the near future.”