Hospital bosses in Airedale are closing a ward with the loss of 16 beds in a plan to care for more patients closer to their homes.

Ward three, which takes acute admissions, at Airedale General Hospital near Steeton is closing on March 1.

No staff will be made redundant as they will be re-deployed to other wards and departments across the hospital.

Christine Miles, interim director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By improving the way we manage ’ care, we can prevent them being admitted to hospital by identifying changes in their conditions early.”

Natalie Ratcliffe, area organiser for Unison, said hospital management had failed to consult with staff over the ward closure.

  • Read the full story in Friday’s T&A