Community Protests Hospital Ward Closure

Hundreds of individuals have marched in protest against a decision to close a hospital ward. The Hoskyn Ward, situated at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, is scheduled to close on 4 December, according to plans from the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust. A spokesperson for the trust indicated that the closure is a response to a decrease in demand for patient transfers from Coventry to the hospital, and affirmed that access to inpatient beds would remain unchanged. Campaigners participated in the march, which proceeded from the Whitehall Recreation Ground to Caldecott Park on Saturday. The event was organized by volunteers who formed the Rugby St Cross Action Group on Facebook, a group that currently has over 1,800 members. A rally was conducted at the park, featuring several speakers, and members of the social media group posted commendations regarding the turnout for the event. According to UHCW’s chief executive, Prof Andy Hardy, a review determined that the hospital no longer requires its current number of inpatient beds. Consequently, it was decided that the Hoskyn ward, which specialized in geriatric patients, would be closed. Mr Hardy also noted that there have been recent investments in new operating theatres and a new endoscopy unit at the site. He added, “Further to this, in 2026, subject to approval of a planning application by Rugby Borough Council, we plan to build a new ward and theatre block on the site.”