John Stevenson was reacting to news that the 16-bed Aspen ward will close on October 1 – the first step in controversial plans to remove 100 beds from the Carlisle and Whitehaven hospitals by 2021.
Bosses, who are also removing inpatient beds from Wigton, Maryport and Penrith hospitals, with Alston having already lost its beds, say they will instead look after more people in their own homes.
However Mr Stevenson is urging bosses to tread carefully, and ensure they plan for increased demand over winter.
“The hospital has to tread very, very carefully, with regards to the reduction in bed numbers, to ensure it does have the capacity it needs to deal with patients, particularly with winter pressures coming.
“It’s important that they retain the confidence of the community, that they do actually have the ability to increase the bed capacity should the demand be there,” he said.
Concerns have been widely voiced about the pending closure of Aspen and the impact it will have on bed pressures.
The timing, coinciding with the removal of beds from Wigton and Maryport and ahead of the winter period, has also been called into question.
But Stephen Eames, who leads the North Cumbria Health & Care System, says they are already caring for more people at home so no longer need as many beds, while more surgical patients are now being dealt with as day cases.
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