Sir – Your recent story regarding the temporary closure of Wenrisc Ward at Witney Community Hospital contained inaccuracies which I would like to correct.
You stated that the temporary closure of the ward ‘has led to the resignations of five specialist nurses’.
This is not the case.
Five members of staff, none of whom are specialist nurses (one is a registered nurse and four are health care assistants) left before Wenrisc Ward was temporarily closed.
The reasons for their departure, however, were unconnected to the announcement of proposed changes and included retirement, relocation and promotion.
As our press statement of October 9 said, nursing staff have been re-deployed into equivalent roles elsewhere in other community hospitals and wider community services, in line with their wishes, wherever possible.
They will be asked to return to their permanent roles on Wenrisc Ward when it reopens by next April.
It is, therefore, incorrect to state that any ‘specialist nurses’ have resigned as a result of the changes at Witney Hospital. For completeness, since the temporary closure, one part-time non-nursing member of staff has resigned.
We will reopen the ward in April 2016, as planned.
The closure of the ward has also allowed us to carry out essential works, for the benefit of patients.
We hope that local people will understand this and be reassured that Wenrisc will reopen.
Anne Brierley
Director for Older People, Oxford Health NHS Trust
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