NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have launched a public consultation into the future locations of 35 community rehabilitation beds in South Warwickshire following approval from the ICB Board.
The public consultation will run from Monday 6th January 2025 to Friday 14th February 2025 and people are being asked to give their views on two potential options for the locations of the community rehabilitation beds.
The ICB are inviting current and former patients, staff, stakeholders, local residents, and interested organisations to participate in the consultation process, and there are a variety of methods with which they can provide feedback.
The two options being consulted on are:
● Option A – Three sites: Distribute all 35 beds across three sites: Ellen Badger Hospital, Leamington Spa Hospital, and Stratford Hospital.
This would reduce the number of beds currently at Stratford Hospital and Leamington Spa Hospital and return up to 12 beds to the Ellen Badger site.
● Option B – Two sites: Provide all 35 beds at two sites, Leamington Spa Hospital and Stratford Hospital.
The wards would remain the same current size at Leamington Spa Hospital and Stratford Hospital and there would no longer be any beds at the Ellen Badger site.
Both SWFT and the ICB have indicated they prefer Option B. This is because they believe it provides high-quality, affordable care, focusing on areas with greatest patient need for rehabilitation, whilst supporting their rehabilitation workforce model across South Warwickshire.
However, the ICB have made it clear that no decision has been made and that both options are still viable, with the information received as part of this consultation process helping to shape and inform the final decision, which is expected to be made by the ICB Board by the end of March.
People are to participate in the consultation via a survey, by attending a consultation event, or by making a written submission, with more information on each available on the ICB website.
The consultation events will be both in-person and online. There will be 4 of each and the in-person events will be held at venues across South Warwickshire to ensure as many people as possible can attend.
The in-person events will take the form of a drop in exhibition which details the plans and the background to the potential changes. There will also be the opportunity to talk one on one with clinicians and other staff members who will be part of delivering the changes. There will not be specific presentation, so people are welcome to arrive at any point during the allotted time period. The details of the in-person events are:
- 17 January, 09:30-11:00, Leamington, Dale Street Methodist Church, Dale Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 5HL
- 21 January, 15:00-16:30, Stratford, Rosebird Community Hall, Shipston Road, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8LU
- 22 January, 16:00-17:30, Shipston, Townsend Hall, Sheep Street, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4AE
- 24 January, 09:30-11:00, Warwick, Lammas Room, Hill Close Gardens Trust, Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF
The online events will consist of a presentation and then a chance to ask questions directly to the presenters These will be taking place:
- 13 January 2025, 09:00-10:30
- 16 January 2025, 09:00-10:30
- 21 January 2025, 11:00-12:30
- 22 January 2025, 18:30-20:00
People are being asked to register for both the online and in person events if they are planning to attend. The registration link can be found on the consultation events webpage.
The ICB have created a dedicated section on their website with all the information regarding the public consultation, including the consultation document, details on how to participate in the consultation, and a list of frequently asked questions. This can be found at www.