Plan to scrap dozens of beds at Dewsbury Hospital

And although those reductions are expected mainly at its hospitals in Wakefield and Pontefract, the trust still plans to close 54 beds at Dewsbury between now and September.

The beds were among 76 opened last September at a cost of £3.5m as the trust struggled to cope with rising demand for emergency medical care at its three sites.

This week, the trust said the beds were no longer needed because of work to reduce how long patients stay, improved discharge processes and investment in community services.

It said plans to move a rehabilitation service to Dewsbury would also free up beds at the Pinderfields site.

Pick up a copy of this week’s Reporter for the full story.