Community wards will remain open

Campaigners have won their fight to retain two community hospital wards in Leicestershire.

Local health trust bosses were considering closing mental health wards at Coalville and Loughborough hospitals to cut costs.

But families of patients opposed the move and argued that care was needed at a local level.

Long-term patients in Bradgate Ward in Loughborough will now be moved to a new ward but will remain in the hospital.

Parliament petitioned

Jack Peberdy from Loughborough, whose wife Betty suffers from dementia, said he was delighted with the decision.

"I was over the moon after the announcement - we had more than 6,000 signatures to support us."

NW Leicestershire MP David Taylor, who presented a petition opposing the closure in the House of Commons, said he was pleased with the consultation process.

Chief executive of Charnwood and North West Leicestershire PCT, Colin Blacker, said the hospital will be able to save some money by redeploying staff.