Latest news with #Frome
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Somerset community hospital beds could close as trust reviews services
The number of inpatient beds at two community hospitals could be cut by a third if proposals go ahead. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed it is in the "very early" stages of a consultation to reduce beds at Frome Community Hospital from 24 to 16, with a similar number of beds under threat at West Mendip Hospital in trust said it was looking at the "mix and balance" of its community services after an "increase" in people being cared for at MP for Frome and East Somerset Anna Sabine has set up a petition to stop what she described as "short-sighted" proposals, which she claimed could also see a number of job cuts. Ms Sabine, who has launched the petition alongside councillor for Frome North Adam Boyden, claimed the closures were being proposed because too few patients were being discharged from Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) to she said that when she toured the RUH - which is run by a different NHS authority to Frome - she was told their main problem is that they do not have suitable places to discharge patients into."We know the Royal United Hospitals struggle to discharge people and yet we're closing beds which would help this," she Sabine said she is concerned that there is "a lack of joined up discussion" between Somerset NHS and the RUH. 'Well thought out plan' However the MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, whose constituency includes West Mendip Hospital, has given the proposals a cautious said while she understood residents might be "concerned" at the planned bed closures, after an urgent meeting with the hospital trust's chief executive last week she believed the "overall direction of movement" was "the right one"."He has reassured me that this isn't a cost cutting exercise, but part of a well thought out strategic plan to shift reliance on community beds, moving the balance of care back to the home. But only when people are well enough to leave acute care within the hospital setting."She added that she understands "the funds and staff previously used for community hospital beds will be redeployed to make sure there are enough services in the community to facilitate this shift". But Ms Sabine said while Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has promised more services at community hospitals across the county - this is not necessarily for Frome. "We suffer a little bit from being on the edge of Somerset and working with a hospital that is not in control by the same organisation and therefore we haven't had that guarantee," she said."It worries me that this is another example of Frome being short changed."She said the "short-sighted" approach to reduce beds in Frome did not take into account the difficulty people have getting to the RUH by public transport."Our hospitals don't need fewer beds, they need proper investment," she added. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust told the BBC the proposal aims to "ensure" community care is offered "in the most appropriate setting".A spokesperson said there has been an increase in people receiving care at home in recent years as well as "significant investment" in services to support patients at home following an acute hospital admission."We are therefore looking at the range, mix and balance of NHS services that are provided in people's own homes, community hospital services and community hospital beds," they said."As a result, we are adjusting the number of beds that we are providing in some community hospitals to better match the demand, which includes a proposed reduction of eight beds at Frome Community Hospital, from 24 to 16."Alongside this, we are also looking at what other services we could provide in our community hospital settings, that are currently provided in the two main acute hospitals as we look to provide services more locally where it makes sense and is feasible to do so."Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has been approached for comment.
The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘Welcome to Frome' sign moved to a different town 10 miles away
A welcome sign left drivers confused when it was moved to a different town entirely. The road sign welcoming people to the Somerset town of Frome appeared on the B3355 going to Midsomer Norton on Friday, which is 10 miles (16km) away. The mix-up comes after several sign-swapping incidents across the West Country in March. One 'prank' saw a welcome sign for Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire relocated more than 60 miles (97km) away to Portland in Dorset. Four signs were also moved from Camerton, near Bath in Somerset, and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset to Bradford-on-Avon, the BBC reported. Following the latest sign swap, Somerset Council said it is 'an act of criminal damage', adding it 'will need to be repaired at public expense'. In a statement, a council spokesperson said: 'If residents see something like this happening, they should contact the police.' Peter, an amused pensioner from Frome who spotted the sign swap and photographed it in Midsomer Norton over the bank holiday weekend, described the prank as a 'professional job'. He told the BBC: 'It seems like an April Fools' Day prank, but obviously we're not in April.' He explained that although he has seen signs covered in graffiti, he has never seen a town sign swapped. 'I knew that it was wrong. Obviously, I should be coming to Midsomer Norton so part of me thought it was some kind of Dad's Army tribute where they changed the signs around to confuse invading armies,' he said. But this is not the first time pranksters have left drivers scratching their heads. In September 2023, road signs in Caithness, Scotland, were removed and replaced.
The Independent
7 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Road sign welcoming people to town moved to a different town 10 miles away
A welcome sign left drivers confused when it was moved to a different town entirely. The road sign welcoming people to the Somerset town of Frome appeared on the B3355 going to Midsomer Norton on Friday, which is 10 miles (16km) away. The mix-up comes after several sign-swapping incidents across the West Country in March. One 'prank' saw a welcome sign for Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire relocated more than 60 miles (97km) away to Portland in Dorset. Four signs were also moved from Camerton, near Bath in Somerset, and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset to Bradford-on-Avon, the BBC reported. Following the latest sign swap, Somerset Council said it is 'an act of criminal damage', adding it 'will need to be repaired at public expense'. In a statement, a council spokesperson said: 'If residents see something like this happening, they should contact the police.' Peter, an amused pensioner from Frome who spotted the sign swap and photographed it in Midsomer Norton over the bank holiday weekend, described the prank as a 'professional job'. He told the BBC: 'It seems like an April Fools' Day prank, but obviously we're not in April.' He explained that although he has seen signs covered in graffiti, he has never seen a town sign swapped. 'I knew that it was wrong. Obviously, I should be coming to Midsomer Norton so part of me thought it was some kind of Dad's Army tribute where they changed the signs around to confuse invading armies,' he said. But this is not the first time pranksters have left drivers scratching their heads. In September 2023, road signs in Caithness, Scotland, were removed and replaced.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Powerlifter takes on the world after cancer surgery
A former marine has competed in the bench press world championships just eight months after having major cancer Patten, from Frome, Somerset, became British bench press champion last March before being diagnosed with cancer in his intestines, requiring an operation in returned to the gym in January and competed for Team GB at the international competition in Norway on Patten said he already felt like he had won just by being at the championships. Mr Patten managed to lift 200kg at the event, describing it as a "really important" moment."Last year I won the British nationals with 200kg,' he said 'And so having gone through the cancer, having lost 10 and a half kilos...I really wanted to nail that 200 to show myself that I could be I'm a lot stronger."That was a success for me." Mr Patten said he was able to reflect on his journey the championships when he arrived. 'This time 12 months ago, I was told I had an extreme form of bowel cancer and there was potentially going to be a bit of bad news,' he said."Six months ago, I thought I might not see my wife or daughter ever again."But last week I did a kidney function it came back clear, and I just felt like being here in Norway was the beginning of the end."I actually felt like I won just by stepping foot in Norway in my Team GB kit."He added it was "inspiring" to be surrounded by so many competitors.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Somerset man sentenced after causing facial injuries in attack
A 20-year-old man was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work after a man was Bracken, from Frome, appeared at Yeovil Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with charge was in connection with an incident in Trinity Street, Frome, in which a 27-year-old man suffered facial injuries on 14 June received a community order until 12 May 2027 and a restraining order against the victim. He also has to pay £2,480 compensation to the victim.
