Plymouth Hospital Wards Opened in 2023 Being Phased Out and Reviewed

The NHS has confirmed that one ward at a Plymouth hospital, which commenced operations in June 2023, is being phased out, while a second ward is currently undergoing review. These wards, established at Mount Gould Hospital with a £5 million investment from NHS England, function as components of a discharge assessment unit catering to patients from Derriford Hospital. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust stated that the 40-bed unit had achieved “huge success,” yet an increasing number of patients are now being discharged directly home from Derriford. The trust indicated that this outcome aligns with patient preferences “with the right support.” A spokesperson for the trust commented: “We are so proud of the service that our amazing staff have provided.” The spokesperson continued: “However, we have been working with our partners and are assured that there is enough capacity for patients to go directly home and/or receive the care in the right place.” The hospital reported that the proportion of patients discharged directly home from Derriford with a care package rose from 23% in January 2023 to 47% in January 2024. “As a result of this, we have already de-escalated one ward as the capacity in the community has improved and we are now reviewing the need for the second ward,” the spokesperson added. Discussions regarding this change are underway with staff members. The trust stated: “Our aim is for 75% of our patients to go home first with the right support, which is what patients also tell us they want.”