Shepton Mallet MP James Heappey has welcomed the news the inpatient beds at Shepton Mallet Community Hospital will reopen on July 9.
Mr Heappey has been campaigning for the beds to be re-opened since the temporary closure was announced back in October. He secured a debate in Parliament in November at which he secured the support of the Health Minister for his campaign and has met regularly local health services and leaders too.
Beds at Chard and Dene Barton will remain closed for the time being. However, staff were briefed by Somerset Partnership NHS Trust (SOMPAR) this morning that when the next rota begins in six weeks’ time, Shepton will be open again.
Mr Heappey said: “This is just brilliant news. We have fought so hard to get the Shepton beds re-opened and I am delighted all that hard work has paid off.
“I would like to pay particular tribute to Ray Pett and the hospital’s League Of Friends who are such tireless supporters of the Community Hospital.
“In Parliament and across the Shepton community, we have made the case for re-opening our beds as quickly as possible and today we have got what we wanted. I am absolutely delighted.”