A HOSPITAL ward for dementia patients in Southampton has been forced to close leaving residents facing a 33-mile journey to receive care and treatments.

A shortage of nurses has forced the closure of the Beaulieu ward at Western Community Hospital in Millbrook.

The ward, which provides treatment and 24-hour care for older people with ‘organic mental health needs’ – in most cases dementia – could remain closed for the next six months.

Health bosses said the decision was made after a number of nurses resigned in the past few months.

The closure leaves Southampton patients having to be cared for at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital or Parklands Hospital in Basingstoke.

Harry Dymond, chairman of Healthwatch Southampton, said

: “While we are very concerned by this closure, patient safety is paramount and reluctantly, we support the view that, if it cannot be staffed safely, Southern Health should close the ward while they seek the required staff to reopen it. We will continue to press Southern Health for a quick resolution and will seek assurances that Southampton patients are properly cared for in locations as close to home as possible and that relatives are given every assistance with visiting.

“This is a very sorry situation and reflects the growing difficulty in employing qualified staff.”

Health bosses at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust said they need to recruit six experienced nurses to be able to reopen the ward.

eu ward areSouthern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Paula Hull, director of nursing and allied health professionals at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “All patients who were being supported on the ward have been safely discharged or transferred to another inpatient ward that provides support for older people with mental health needs in Hampshire.

“We must put the safety of our patients first. We are working closely with the people we support, their families, and our staff and colleagues across the local health and care system to ensure patients receive care in the most appropriate setting.”

Cllr David Shields, cabinet member for health and community safety at Southampton City Council, said: “I am aware that there is a real shortage of qualified nurses (and other vital care staff) right now which goes across our entire care system.

“The reasons for this are varied but the uncertainty and climate generated by Brexit doesn’t help things given that many of our nursing staff in Southampton originate from EU countries.”