NHS chiefs say there are no plans to close down Cirencester Hospital after fears were raised amid temporary closures.
The recent measures taken in October - including suspending all theatre activity and temporarily closing one of two intermediate care wards - have sparked fears that this could lead to the eventual closure of the hospital.
But a joint statement issued last week - from the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - has stressed that these are not 'permanent changes' nor are there plans to close down the unit, based in the town's Tetbury Road.
This follows a letter from Cotswold district councillor Laura Hall-Wilson (Tetbury with Upton) to the NHS chiefs where she said that, with the temporary changes due to end in May, there was 'genuine anxiety' that these would become permanent followed by further reductions in services.
The joint statement, issued on Wednesday, March 11, read: "There is currently a trial associated with some Cirencester Hospital services.
"Our tests of change include trialling a new frailty complex care unit at Cirencester Hospital, which has been developed to directly meet the needs of the local population.
"We have reorganised beds to retain one intermediate care ward of 28 beds, but then created the specialised 15-bed unit to provide rehabilitative care to patients with a higher complexity of physical and mental health needs when compared to our previous inpatient model.
"The effectiveness of this new configuration, and the improvements we hope to achieve in terms of ensuring that people experience the most appropriate and high-quality care, alongside the best possible chance of returning home more quickly, will be fully evaluated.
"The second change is the temporary pausing of planned day case surgery at the hospital's community theatre, which is leased by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
"Surgical activity previously carried out at Cirencester is temporarily taking place elsewhere in the county.
"This is part of a 'test of change' to look at the impact of concentrating specific surgical procedures at sites to see if this improves efficiency and waiting times, reduces cancellations for patients countywide, provides a better service for our patients and makes better use of our resources.
"It is important to note that community theatres in Gloucestershire are used by patients from across the county - not just those living near a particular site. For many one-off surgical procedures, people choose to travel within the county to access specialist services and for specific procedures.
"We would like to make it clear that no permanent plans have been made, or decisions made, about individual services, facilities or specific sites over the long term.
"This is about testing out new service models and ways of working.
"After the trials, we will review how well the changes have worked.
"Meanwhile, all other existing services at Cirencester, including the Minor Injury and Illness Unit, inpatient services, outpatient services such as therapy and podiatry, and the work of the community teams continue as normal.
"There are no plans to close Cirencester Hospital and it's important to stress that we see it as a hugely important asset for the future of local healthcare. "
In reply, Cllr Hall-Wilson said: “During my time campaigning to be a councillor and since being elected healthcare is consistently brought up with me as an issue residents are worried about.
"My own experience with taking small children the long distance to Gloucester Hospital has brought sharply into focus how much we need local hospitals with acceptable journey times, especially in a rural area where public transport provision is lacking.
"I’m really grateful to health leaders in Gloucestershire for engaging with me and providing some reassurances on the future on Cirencester Hospital, I will absolutely be taking up their offer to meet and discuss further because I want to share my residents concerns and push for more, not less on our doorstep."
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