Savings may close hospital ward

A ward could close at Musgrove Park Hospital as Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust tries to make savings of £6.5m.

Senior nursing staff were told of the cuts but have been assured the trust does not expect redundancies.

The hospital said it wanted to reduce the average time patients spent at the hospital, discharge patients on time and then reduce the number of beds.

A spokesman added that "taking beds out of the hospital could result in wards being closed".

The statement went on to say: "The improvement in average length of stay will allow us to better manage emergency demand.

"We will only take the beds out of the system as the improvements in the length of stay are achieved, so that our ability to treat patients is not affected."