The NHS has confirmed it will reduce hospital beds at two community hospitals while introducing new services as part of a trial.
In line with the government’s 10-year plan, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is looking at relocating or repurposing inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital and Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital.
In April 2026, the trust will temporarily reducing the number of beds from 16 to eight at both hospitals, using the space for services like chemotherapy and maternity services.
The trust said in a statement: “We have heard how people would value these new additional local services but are also concerned not to lose their local community hospital beds.”
“This would retain beds in both community hospitals and provide additional services in both locations,” the statement continued.
The trust added that any changes will be temporary and no decisions have been made to permanently close community hospital beds.
“We also heard that people have to travel significant distances to access some services, that travel is a barrier to access, and that there is limited availability of services locally,” the trust said.
Additional services at the community hospitals will include a day unit, ambulatory care and diagnostics for echocardiogram in Crewkerne and chemotherapy, specialist outpatient clinics, weekly maternity services, and support for frailty in Burnham-on-Sea.
