Frail and vulnerable pensioners will be put at risk if beds set aside for them are moved from Bingley to Airedale.

Members of Airedale Community Health Council (CHC) - the patients' watchdog - unanimously opposed plans by Airedale NHS Trust to close 17 beds at Bingley hospital, and move 16 to the Steeton hospital.

The beds in Bingley are used by pensioners across the district to help them get back on their feet after serious illnesses before they are allowed to go home.

If the beds are transferred to Airedale, CHC members fear they will be used for general duties, rather than rehabilitating the elderly.

At Wednesday's meeting they agreed the move was 'not in the best interests of patients' and was a further step along the road to closing smaller district hospitals.

"Bingley hospital is not just used by the people of Bingley -it is for the whole area," warned the CHC's Isobel Scarborough. "The frail and elderly are particularly vulnerable and Airedale NHS Trust must decide where it will provide beds to rehabilitate people."

A final decision on the trust's proposal must now be made by Health Secretary Frank Dobson.

Airedale hospital's catering services have been given the seal of approval by the community health council.

CHC members followed kitchen staff as they handed out meals one day in October, in the most comprehensive survey carried out of hospital catering.

They say staff meet the dietary needs of patients, and provide snacks where needed, portions are adequate and there is no evidence of patients not being fed.

The only problems patients have with meals is a lack of gravy, and the choice of a continental breakfast in the mornings.

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